by Mike Gooding

The US Pro Singles Playing for the Schochet Cup was a tremendous success on and off the court. A first-rate field came from all corners of the globe to play at the National Tennis Club at the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Thanks to an effective fundraising campaign, prize money saw an increase resulting in an all-time high at the US Pro Singles.

Camden Riviere returned to defend his title for the eighth time and advanced to the final with ease to find a first-time finalist at the US Pro, Chris Chapman from The Royal Tennis Court. In front of a packed house, Chris, whose background is in squash, was on fire. The rallies were a sign of how the game has evolved. Shots that only a few years ago would have been deemed low percentage at best were pulled off with regularity and precision by both players. Camden acted as both a sponge soaking up most of the heat from Chris and then dishing out his own devastating power and touch. Slowly the relentless pressure took its toll on Chris. Chris continued to fight valiantly, but in the end, Camden showed us why he has won this event nine times in a row. Yes, nine times!

The final score was 6-4 6-1 6-2

Along with the main event there was a strong Satellite Draw with twelve players vying for spots in the main draw. Josh Dodgson and Conor Medlow both former Sea Court juniors and longtime friends managed to make the final. Conor proved the better on the day in a closely fought 6-4 6-2 match.

In an extremely fun and entertaining round robin pro-am, Kip Curren, longtime sponsor of court tennis, with partner James Law (pro) won the pro-am 10-8 over Jonathan Pardee and Craig Greenhalgh (pro).

I would like to thank all the sponsors Northfield Information Services, Inc, United States Court Tennis Association, United States Preservation Foundation, International Tennis Hall of Fame, David Fordfor hosting a wonderful Cocktail party at Miramar. We are grateful to our other sponsors and helpers who stepped up to support the event. Many are longtime NTC members and all share in our appreciation of the sport  who make it all possible.

Most importantly a very special thank you to Suzette Schochet for presenting the Schochet Cup and for her family’s continued and extremely generous support of Court Tennis. Without the Schochet family leadership, the US Professional Singles would not be such a tremendously popular and important event on the calendar.

NOTE: THE WEBCAST WILL START WITH THE MAIN DRAW MATCHES ON TUESDAY, JUNE 5TH

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE MATCHES ON THE USCTA YOUTUBE CHANNEL

 

2018 U.S. PROFESSIONAL SINGLES

SUNDAY JUNE 3
SATELLITE DRAW
Craig Greenhalgh def. Adam Player 6-1, 6-2
Barney Tanfield def. James Law 6-1, 6-4
Nino Merola def. Neil Mackenzie w/o
Adrian Kemp def. John Woods-Casey 6-5, 6-5

MONDAY JUNE 4
SATELLITE DRAW
Mike Gooding def. Craig Greenhalgh 6-2, 6-5
Conor Medlow def. Tony Hollins  6-3, 6-4
Barney Tanfield def. Nino Merola 6-3, 6-0
Josh Dodgson def. Adrian Kemp 6-2, 6-1

TUESDAY JUNE 5
MAIN DRAW
11AM – Chris Chapman def. Conor Medlow 6-2, 6-1, 6-4
1PM – Steve Virgona def. Tony Hollins 6-1, 6-1, 6-1
3PM – Nick Howell vs. Craig Greenhalgh 6-1, 6-1, 6-0
5PM – Ben Taylor-Matthews vs. Nino Merola 6-2, 6-1, 6-0

WEDNESDAY JUNE 6
MAIN DRAW
10AM – Darren Long def. Adrian Kemp 6-4, 6-5, 6-2
Noon – Leon Smart def. Mike Gooding 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1
2PM – Kieran Booth def. Josh Dodgson 6-3, 6-5, 3-6, 6-1
4PM – Camden Riviere def. Barney Tanfield 6-0, 6-3, 6-2

THURSDAY JUNE 7
MAIN DRAW
11AM – Ben Taylor-Matthews def. Leon Smart 6-0, 6-0, 6-1
1PM – Steve Virgona def. Kieran Booth 6-4, 6-4, 6-3
3PM – Camden Riviere def. Nick Howell 6-0, 6-0, 6-2
5PM – Chris Chapman def. Darren Long 6-0, 6-2, 6-3

FRIDAY JUNE 8
SATELLITE DRAW
SEMIFINAL #1 –  Conor Medlow def. Mike Gooding 6-1, 6-4
SEMIFINAL #2 – Josh Dodgson def. Barney Tanfield  6-2, 6-2
MAIN DRAW
SEMIFINAL #1 – Camden Riviere def. Ben Taylor-Matthews 6-2, 6-2, 6-3
SEMIFINAL #2 – Chris Chapman def. Steve Virgona 6-2, 6-1, 6-1

SATURDAY JUNE 9
FINALS
1PM – SATELLITE FINAL Conor Medlow def. Josh Dodgson 6-4, 6-2
4PM – U.S. PRO SINGLES FINAL  Camden Riviere def. Chris Chapman 6-4, 6-1, 6-2

2018 U.S. PRO SINGLES
playing for the Schochet Cup

NATIONAL TENNIS CLUB
JUNE 3-9