Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

The 20th Georgia Open will return to LaGrange on Saturday, with a number of men and women competing for the top prize during the tournament at the Ann & Doc McCluskey Tennis Complex.

The matches begin at 8 a.m., and the champions in the men’s and women’s divisions will be crowned later in the day.

The women’s championship match is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., and the men’s title match will follow at 8 p.m.

The event is organized by Tim Child, who has been bringing the Georgia Open to LaGrange for two decades.

“The Georgia Open prize money event has become one of the South’s premier tennis events,” Child said. “It is such a unique event. Each year it consists of top juniors, teaching pros, elite college players and former touring professional players. I am fortunate enough to still have an extensive network. I enjoy using these resources to bring high level tennis to the LaGrange area. It is a spectator friendly event. I’d like to encourage and invite all local tennis players of all ages to come out and watch some awesome tennis.”

The number one seed on the men’s side is Atlanta’s Ryan Blake, a four-time winner of the event.

Blake played at Georgia Southern University, and he was a member of the ATP tour who was ranked as high as 393rd in the world.

The number two seed is Spain’s Alvaro Regalado, a three-time All-American at Columbus State who is the top-ranked NCAA Division II player in the country.

The men’s draw features six collegiate All-Americans, and three former Georgia Open champions.

On the women’s side, the number one seed is Medina Walsh of Nashville, Tenn.

Walsh was a four-time all-conference player at Coastal Carolina, and she was a Fed Cup player for her native Bosnia.

The number two seed is Beatriz Lopez of Spain, who is an All-American singles and doubles player at Columbus State.

Before each championship match, a Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented.

Kathy Livingston will be honored before the women’s match, and Marvin Edelson will be recognized before the men’s match.