![](../images/for_pdf/0311-04501.jpg) | | Stead Open 2008 Photo Sheryl Cardiff
| | | | | | While swimming is often the focus of the summer season, the Moraga Country Club has not forgotten that the tennis season is in full swing. Tuesday, August 4th marked the first day of the Stead Open which runs through Sunday. The tournament has a 26-year history and has been sponsored by the Stead Family of Fine Automobiles for 23 years.
With a $25,000 purse, the tournament attracts top Satellite, collegiate and local players. Local entrants this year include Tyler Browne, a Las Lomas graduate and current assistant tennis coach at UC Berkeley; Chris Rasmussen, a Miramonte graduate and former Stanford player; along with Nick Ballou (Campolindo), John Karsant (Acalanes), Mike Reiser (De LaSalle), and Evan Rose (Campolindo), currently playing for the Golden Bears.
Last year's tournament champions, Maria Sanchez, currently playing for USC, and Robert Yim, a touring professional, are also returning to defend their titles.
The tournament features men's and women's singles and doubles as well as mixed doubles. Matches begin each day at 9 a.m. Thursday evening also features two matches and a barbeque at 5:30 p.m.
Semi finals start at 9 a.m. on Saturday. The women's doubles final takes place on Saturday at 1 p.m. The rest of the final matches begin on Sunday with the women's singles at 9 a.m. and are followed by the men's singles, men's doubles and mixed doubles.
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