Sand Series returns with fifth event of 2022 in Saarlouis

The 2022 Sand Series returns to action this month with the fifth event of the season in Saarlouis.

The world’s best beach tennis players will descend on the German market town on 25-28 August, playing for a share of US$35,000.

Last year, the disrupted calendar meant that the Sand Series Saarlouis Classic launched the new Sand Series for the ITF. Having begun in 2017 with prize money of US$10,000, inclusion in the Sand Series reflected the passion for beach tennis in the Saarland region, the support from the regional government, and the commitment of tournament organisers, Plan B Marketing.

“Sports enthusiasts will have the opportunity to see some of the world’s best beach tennis players competing in this modern and dynamic sport," said Tournament Director Maximilian Hamm. "The international beach tennis elite gathers in Saarlouis for the event. The event stands for great atmosphere on the grandstands, real beach feeling and parties, thrilling duels at the net, quick rallies and first-class performances in sports. Players love the outstanding hospitality and family-like atmosphere of the events and the host town.”

This year, retaining its spot over the last weekend in August means that this is the culmination of five Sand Series tournaments – with the Réunion Classic, the Gran Canaria Classic, Barcelona, and the Brasília Classic occurring earlier in the year.

World No. 1 Antomi Ramos (ESP) and No. 2 Michele Cappelletti (ITA) will be looking to keep up their run of reaching the final in each of the Series so far this year. With victory in Réunion, Barcelona, and in Brasília, the pair will start as favourites to add a fourth Sand Series in 2022 to their resume. With the pair winning in Gran Canaria in 2021, the Saarlouis Classic is the only one of the Sand Series Classics missing from a complete set.

However, there will be plenty of teams looking to put a stop to the Ramos-Cappelletti run. Recent BT400 Marechal Deodoro champions Allan Oliveira (BRA) and Thales Santos (BRA) will be looking to improve on their runner-up finish at the Sand Series Barcelona and clinch a first top level title. Meanwhile, Mattias Spoto (ITA) and Nicolas Gianotti (FRA) will be keen to get back to winning ways, after early season success in winning the Gran Canaria Classic after reaching the final of the Sand Series Réunion Classic.

In the women’s tournament, a re-match of the 2021 final, which saw Nicole Nobile and Sofia Cimatti beat Giulia Gasparri and Ninny Valentini in an all-Italian classic, would be a surprise to few. The world No. 1 pair will be keen to get their revenge, with the two teams being the dominant pairings this year.

However, Patricia Diaz (VEN) and Rafaella Miiller (BRA) will be among a host of teams looking to break up the Italian dominance. The Brazilian-Venezuelan duo won the Sand Series Réunion Classic in March, while Miiller has appeared in seven finals this year. The strong Brazilian pair of Vitoria Marchezini and Marcela Vita will be dangerous while recent BT400 Marechal Deodoro champion Sophia Chow (BRA) teams up with Italian Veronica Casadei, looking to improve on three quarter-final appearances in Sand Series events in 2022. Home favourite Maraike Biglmaier (GER) will be taking to the sand with a new partner, teaming up with Eva D’Elia (ITA).

Not only is the Sand Series Saarlouis Classic the final Sand Series of the regular season, it is also comes two weeks before the World Championships return to Terracina in Italy.

There is much on the line for all of the leading players and the action is sure to be fast and furious. For more information on the event, please visit the Tournament Website. The order of play for each day and results will be available on the ITF website.

The Sand Series is a series of major beach tennis events launched in 2021, offering amongst the highest prize money and ranking points on the ITF Beach Tennis World Tour.

Sand Series 2022

25 – 27 March            Réunion Classic

20 – 22 May                Gran Canaria Classic

26 – 28 May                Barcelona

16 – 18 June               Brasília Classic

26 – 28 August           Saarlouis Classic