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Heo drops first match in Slovakia Futures
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Posted on Aug 01 2011
Former CNMI top junior tennis player Ji Hoon Heo continued to struggle in clay after dropping his first game in the Slovakia F1 Futures 2011 yesterday in Piestany, Slovak Republic.
Heo was entered in the qualifying draw of the 64-player field and lost to Slovak’s Michal Milko in straight sets. The CNMI bowed in the first set, 2-6, and failed to extend the game after suffering another defeat in the second set, 1-6.
With the win, Milko advanced to the 32-player main draw and will be pitted against the No. 13 seed Mateausz Szmigiel of Poland in the first round, while Heo awaits the doubles draw.
The tournament in Slovak Republic wrapped up Heo’s month-long European tour. He had been to Denmark, Sweden, Austria, Germany, and Czech Republic and competed in several tournaments there, including the ATP and clay tournament in Lauchseeweg, Austria. Heo joined both the doubles and singles event in Austria and bowed out in the opening round.
The Commonwealth netter joined a couple of his teammates at the Hawaii Pacific University in the European tour to continue playing and earn ATP points. The group went to Europe a month after the NCAA Division II concluded its 2010-2011 season.
The ATP events in Austria and Slovak Republic both offered $10,000 prize money and ranking points.
The Europe tour was Heo’s first try to gain ATP ranking points, following a respectable debut season in collegiate tennis. The CNMI netter helped the Sea Warriors reached the NCAA Division II Regionals in Florida in May. He posted a 10-8 record in the 2011 season, winning his first five games this year.
