U.S. tennis stars in the making will be among the pros battling it out on the courts of Guadalajara’s Panamericano Tennis Center in the fifth edition of the Zurich Jalisco Open from April 20-26.

Prize money of US$100,000 is up for grabs at the ATP Challenger event, with the winner of the 32-player men’s singles competition collecting 110 ATP points and $US15,000.

This year’s event features a concurrent ITF women’s tournament for the first time.

The highest ranked player in the field is 22-year-old Ryan Harrison, who was slated to be the next big star of U.S. tennis after a standout junior career.  He’s currently ranked 110th in the world, but  climbed as high as 43rd in July 2012.  Harrison has played in all four of tennis’ majors and also in the 2012 Olympics, when he lost in the first round.  As a junior, he rose to seventh in the world. 

Other notable U.S. players in the field include 24-year-old Austin Krajicek (ranked 146th), who comes to Guadalajara fresh off a victory in the ATP Torneo Internacional Challenger Leon last weekend, and Denis Kudla (ranked 131rd).  

Another U.S. player to watch is Rajeev Ram (ranked 139th), who has won more than two million dollars in prize money during his 11-year career. He reached a career-high ranking of 78th in November 2009, when he advanced to the men’s doubles semifinals at the U.S. Open.  He also has one ATP singles title to his name – the Hall of Fame Championships in Newport, Rhode Island in 2009. Ram was runner-up in the Jalisco Open two years ago.

The women’s event, offering total prize money of $US15,000, has attracted players lower down the world rankings. The three highest-ranked competitors are Mexicans: Marcela Zacarias (260th), Ana Sofia Sanchez (291st) and Victoria Rodriguez (315th). Two U.S. players who have secured places in the main draw are Lauren Alabanese (468th) and Alexandra Morozava (598th).

Built for the 2011 Pan American Games, the Centro Panamericano de Tenis adjoining the Parque Metropolitano boasts an excellent stadium court for 2,700 spectators.  The complex has eight other hard courts with a capacity for 1,000 spectators.

Stadium court tickets range in price from 50-110 pesos on the first four days of play.  They sell for 70-150 pesos on Friday, April 24; 80-150 pesos on Saturday, April 25; and 100-250 pesos on Sunday, April 26 (finals day). VIP tickets cost from 140-350 pesos, depending on the day. Tickets may be purchased through Ticketmaster at (33) 3818-3800, Ticketmaster outlets, or at the center’s box office throughout the tournament.  The underground car park has 450 booths and costs 50 pesos per day. Finals day tends to sell out, so buy those tickets ahead of time.

In addition to food stalls, there will be a busy commercial zone. 

The event is organized by Ochoa Sports Management, headed by Alejandro Ochoa Reyes, the brother of former world number one female golfer Lorena Ochoa.

For more details visit http://jalisco-open.com or call (33) 1202-0877  for more information.

Jalisco Open Schedule

Monday, April 20, noon-8 p.m. Men’s and women’s singles first round.

Tuesday, April 21, noon-8 p.m. Men’s and women’s singles first round.

Wednesday, April 22, 2-8 p.m. Men’s and women’s singles second round. Men’s and women’s doubles quarter finals.

Thursday, April 23, 2-8 p.m. Men’s and women’s singles second round. Men’s doubles quarter finals.  Women’s doubles semi finals.

Friday, April 24, 2-8 p.m. Men’s and women’s singles quarter finals. Men’s doubles semi finals. Women’s doubles final.

Saturday, April 25, 1-8 p.m. Men’s and women’s singles semi finals. Men’s doubles final.

Sunday, April 26, 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. Men’s and women’s singles finals.