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Arias Exhibition Match On Tap For Saturday At Lakewood YMCA

Former No.5-ranked player in the world Jimmy Arias will make his second appearance in as many years to the Lakewood YMCA on Saturday.

P-J file photo

LAKEWOOD — Jimmy Arias, the former No. 5-ranked tennis player in the world, will be returning to the Lakewood YMCA on Saturday.

The Grand Island native, who made an appearance at the Fairmount Avenue facility last summer, will conduct a pair of clinics, and a question-and-answer period during lunch; and play an exhibition match.

The children’s clinic will be held at 9 a.m., followed by the adult clinic at 10:30 p.m. Both clinics are sold out. After lunch and the question-and-answer session at noon, Arias will play an exhibition match at 1:30 p.m. with former University at Buffalo star Ethan Nittolo; UB tennis coach Lee Nickell; and Tim Videnka, currently ranked 18th in the United States Tennis Association 40-and-older singles.

Arias, now 54, turned pro at 16 in 1980, and peaked in 1983, when as a 19-year-old, he finished the year ranked No. 6, having reached the U.S. Open semifinals by defeating Jonathan Canter, Tom Gullikson, Gianni Ocleppo, Joakim Nystrom and Yannick Noah, and then lost to Ivan Lendl. He also won the Italian Open and three other tour grand prix events.

Arias’ career-high No. 5 ranking was reached in 1984. Upon his retirement from the tour in 1994, Arias amassed a 286-223 singles playing record and more than $1,800,000 in prize money.

At last year’s appearance at the Lakewood YMCA, Arias talked about his quarterfinal victory over Noah in the 1983 U.S. Open.

“I remember trying to swallow (ahead 6-5 in the fifth set) and I couldn’t swallow (because of nerves). I decided I’m going to aim right down the center and hit it as hard as I can to give myself the best chance. I ran around and hit it for an angle winner. I missed my spot, but it looked like I was so clutch and calm, because I did smash it. I won it, 7-5, in the fifth (set).”

If the exhibition match Saturday is anything like last year’s, it should be quite entertaining. In 2018, Arias, despite playing with a sore knee, won both his exhibition doubles matches. In the first one, he teamed with Dusty Nelson to down Martin Hoch and Matt Johnson, 6-4, 6-4. In the second match, Arias and Johnson held off Nelson and Hoch by the same score.

Prior to Arias’ exhibition, four area players will square off — Will Nelson, Tyler Beaton, Matt Johnson and Cooper Miller. That match will be held at 1 p.m.

The event, sponsored by Maple Group Real Estate, Tri-James Service, WellNow Urgent Care, Bemus Point Golf Club & Tap House, Community Eye Care Specialists, Matco Tools, Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union, Family Health Medical Services and Merrill Lynch, is open to the public.

For more information, contact the Lakewood YMCA at 763-0303.

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