Beautiful fall weather and perfect temperatures suited the eager players and organizers assembled for the first annual AsiaXpress.com Tennis Tournament Sat., Sept. 18, 1999 at Utah Park in Aurora. However, unrelenting rain and cold Sunday the second day postponed the conclusion of the tournament until Oct. 2 or 3 (determined later this week).

Overall 58 players competed in six categories for the to claim one of 27 attractive glistening-in-the-sun acrylic glass trophies, on which AsiaXpress spent more than $800. A crowd of approximately 90 played, watched and cheered under the cloudless skies.

Before the weather turned, the only category of the double-elimination, nine-game tiebreaker, self-governed tournament that reached completion was the women's doubles. Hanh Phi and Lisa Nguyen won first place; Vie Nguyen and Christina Tran won second; TJ Nguyen and Jenny Guo won third.

Phung showed herself the victor in the women's singles competition. But the second- and third-place winners have yet to be determined from a consolation round postponed to October.

The men played in four categories: advanced singles, beginner singles, advanced doubles, and beginner singles.

One player, Minh Vien, a United States Tennis Association (USTA) player who competed in both advanced men's categories, said this was the best tournament he has participated in. Players paid $20 registration and, in additional to the opportunity to compete, received an AsiaXpress Tennis Tournament T-shirt and colorful bottle tote.

After countless phone calls and conversations, 11 companies and associations contributed to the tournament.

Bowline Family Products donated sample bottle totes. A-A Printing printed promotional flyers and brochures. Pepsi Cola set up an elaborate booth, complete with music and gave away the beverage Storm as well donated shirts and sweatshirts to the raffle.

Speaking of the raffled, throughout the day lucky participants won prizes, which also included movie tickets, collapsible chairs and Bronco bottle totes.

Komart Supermarket pitched in food and drinks; Asian Supermarket gave bottled water. United States Census 2000, which manned a table, gave away promotional material such as cups and mugs.

Other financial sponsors were the Asian American Education Council; Project Talk; Dimensional Technology Consultant; Beautiful Lawns, Inc.; and the Aurora Asian/Pacific Community Partnership.