For Immediate Release

Contacts:

Edie Brown
Media Contact (410) 267-9600
Heather Shaffer/Courtney Butler
1st Mariner Arena (410) 347-2090
Gengy Vaikness/Marc Kantrowitz
Charity Tennis Challenge (410) 296-2929

2003 US OPEN CHAMPION ANDY RODDICK vs. JAMES BLAKE
HEADLINE SHRIVER’s 2003 CHARITY TENNIS CHALLENGE;
HARKLEROAD, SHARAPOVA STAR IN FUTURE LEGENDS MATCH

Baltimore, September 8 -- Andy Roddick and James Blake will lead an all-star cast of tennis superstars at the Mercantile Tennis Challenge presented by The Baltimore Sun, announced Tournament Chairman and Founder, Pam Shriver. Roddick and Blake, the new "Young Guns of Tennis" will stand-off in the Event’s Feature Singles Match at the 1st Mariner Arena on Thursday evening, December 4, 2003 at 7:00 p.m.

The 2003 Mercantile Tennis Challenge, the area’s premier charitable sporting event, will celebrate its 18th anniversary in Baltimore thanks to the support of Mercantile Bankshares Corporation, The Baltimore Sun, Northrop Grumman and many other loyal sponsors and contributors.

With back-to-back tournament titles in Cincinnati and Montreal, the 21-year-old Roddick has stormed to No. 1 in the ATP Tour Points Champions Race. Boasting a world-record 149 MPH serve, he has quickly become the leader of a new crop of young Americans and one of the most feared players on the men’s circuit. Since turning pro in 2000, he has already won 11 tournament singles titles, including his first Grand Slam victory at this year’s US Open, accumulating over $3.5 in career prize money.

James Blake, another of the talented young American stars, has quickly become one of the most popular and fastest rising stars on the ATP. Since turning pro after finishing his sophomore year at Harvard as the No. 1 collegiate player in the country, the 23-year-old captured his first breakthrough title last year and has advanced to the quarterfinals or better in five straight tournaments. Off the court, he has started a second career with IMG Models and was named People Magazine’s Sexiest Athlete.

"With the unbelievable tennis talent that will be coming to Baltimore, this might be our most thrilling year ever," Shriver said. "Andy Roddick has had one of tennis’ greatest summer tournament runs ever. Add the inspiring play of James Blake plus the other players we’ve assembled, and you have the recipe for a really special and exciting evening for everyone. I’m very grateful for their generous support."

-More-

Making their Baltimore debut in the inaugural Northrop Grumman Future Legends of Tennis Match will be inspiring young talents, Ashley Harkleroad and Maria Sharapova. Both are hot, rapidly rising teen sensations on the WTA Tour who have shown many flashes of brilliance. They each possess all of the necessary skills and mental fortitude to become dominant forces in the women’s game.

Edward (Ned) Kelly III, Chairman, President and CEO of Mercantile Bankshares Corporation unveiled the Baltimore debut of Shriver’s 2002 International Tennis Hall of Fame Exhibit which will be temporarily housed at Mercantile’s headquarters, Two Hopkins Plaza, through December. Shriver was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame last July in Newport, Rhode Island. "As a tennis fan, I have long admired Pam’s achievements both on and off of the court," commented Kelly. "We’re delighted to host such a special tribute to someone who does so much for our community."

Mercantile Bankshares Corporation, with assets of $13 billion, is a multibank holding company headquartered in Baltimore. It has 17 banking affiliates in Maryland, one banking affiliate in Delaware and three in Virginia. Investment and Wealth Management services are provided through its largest affiliate, Mercantile Bank & Trust, which has $42 billion in assets under administration, of which $20 billion are discretionary assets under management.

The Mercantile Tennis Challenge presented by the Baltimore Sun is played to benefit the Baltimore Community Foundation (BCF), a publicly endowed nonprofit organization that donates proceeds to area children’s charities. Since the event’s inception in 1986, over $3.1 million has been distributed through the BCF Tennis Challenge Fund to child-related causes.

Tickets go on sale September 8 at noon and range in price from $15-$100. Tickets can be purchased at the 1st Mariner Arena Box Office 410/347-2010 and all TICKETMASTER locations. To charge by phone, call 410/481-SEAT. Additional ticket and sponsorship information can be obtained by calling the Tournament Office at 410/296-2929 or via www.tennischallenge.org.

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