Boston, MA, May 8th (Mother’s Day): "It’s a wrap" said tournament co-chair Jeremy Wintersteen and finalist in the Mixed Doubles, as things wound down here following a long weekend of tennis.
Three national championships all went off without a hitch as the handicapping prevailed, and the #1 seeds won these three events. [The Boston club, and co-chairs Wintersteen and Arthur Drane, together with Boston head pro Jimmy Burke and club manager Tom Dobbins, carried it off beautifully, a tremendous feat after just having run the US Open Singles and Doubles mere weeks earlier.]
Though the seeding ran true, there were a few surprises along the way, the first being the tremendous turnout for these events. 14 women from three continents competed, including, I’m happy to say, several promising newcomers to the game. They were joined by 10 intrepid men in the quest for the US Mixed Doubles Championship for the O’Neill Cup, one of the most stunning trophies in the game.
#1 world ranked player Charlotte Cornwallis (fresh from her victory in the Ladies Worlds in Paris and her win at the British Open at Moreton Morrell) headed a contingent of Brits. Australians Amy Hayball, and Susan Castley, the latter a pro at The Oratory, also made the trip. Charlotte is also a professional.
In the singles, Charlotte had no trouble at all, losing but one game, enroute to the finals. Her opponent, Freddie Adam, who works for the IRTPA, also reached the final easily. And on Sunday, Freddie gave Charlotte a serious run in the first set. Charlotte asserted herself from there and took the title in straights, 6/5, 6/1. (Singles draw)
Tournament Co-Chair Arthur Drane congratulates Charlotte Cornwallis on another US Ladies Singles victory.
Charlotte and Freddie were back out on court minutes later in the Ladies Doubles final, with partners Melissa Grassi (teamed with Charlotte) and the aforementioned Susan Castley (with Freddie). These teams were fairly evenly matched, so no one should have been surprised by a three-setter, won by Cornwallis and Grassi 6/3, 3/6, 6/3. (Doubles draw)
Happy Doubles Champions Cornwallis and Grassi
Doubles finalists Castley and Adam. Adam was also the Singles finalist.
The last match of the day was an all-American affair in this all-amateur event. Sheila Reilly teamed with the vastly talented Bradley Allen of the DC and Boston clubs, while Brenda Sabbag teamed with Jeremy Wintersteen of Boston. #1 seeds Reilly and Allen got off to a rocky start, but with Allen’s coaching and magnificent play, managed to right things and neutralize their opponent’s game, winning 1/6, 6/3, 6/3. (Mixed draw)
Below, left photo, Bradley Allen and Sheila Reilly, 2005 US Mixed Champions. Below right photo, Jeremy Wintersteen (also Tournament Co-chair) and Brenda Sabbag, finalists.
