Ianni, George win open singles titles
November 11, 2015
TYLER, Texas – Picking up right where they left off, Stefano Ianni of Miami and Zorana George of Cordova, Tenn., won the men’s and women’s open singles titles, respectively, at the 2015 USPTA Hard Court Championships. Ianni and George also won the men’s and women’s open singles divisions at the USPTA Masters Invitational in September, and invitation-only tournament for certified USPTA members.
The 2015 USPTA Hard Court Championships took place Nov. 6-8 at Hollytree Country Club in Tyler, Texas. Total prize money for the event was $13,000, and this three-day tournament was open to USPTA-certified Professionals.
Ianni once again defeated Adrians Zguns of Orlando, Fla., the 2014 winner, by a narrow margin of 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (10-8). With the two titles this year, the Miami resident now has three USPTA Surface Championship wins. Ianni also won the 2014 men’s open doubles crown at the Hard Court Championships with partner Paulo Barros.
Ianni and Zguns paired up to extend their winning streak to two after capturing the men’s open doubles division. The pair faced the same duo they defeated at the Masters Invitational — Rudy Obergon (San Antonio, Texas)/Thiago Barbosa (Glendale, Ariz.) – to come home with an 8-4 victory.
Zguns also went home with two trophies by pairing up with Marina McCollom (West Des Moines, Iowa) for the mixed open doubles division title after not dropping a game and winning both of their matches by 8-0.
Cary Lothringer (The Woodlands, Texas) earned his first division title at the Hard Court Championships in three years after defeating Jason Holland (Portland, Texas) 6-4, 4-6, 11-9 in the men’s 35 singles championship match. Lothringer last won the 2012 men’s open doubles title in 2012 with partner Jonas Lundblad.
Kimm Ketelsen (Tyler, Texas) defeated William Carte (Fresno, Calif.) for the men’s 55 singles division win for his first USPTA Surface Championship.
On the women’s side, George earned the women’s open singles title by going undefeated in round robin play, dropping only four games in three matches. She now has two USPTA Surface Championships to her name.
Newcomer Rebecca Reger (League City, Texas) took home the women’s 35 singles crown after also going undefeated in round robin play. Reger also nabbed the women’s open doubles title alongside partner Ekaterina Morozova-Pomier (Houston) after posting an unblemished record in round robin play.
Full results of the 2015 USPTA Hard Court Championships are available on getcourtside.com.
As a benefit to USPTA-certified members, the surface championships provide an opportunity to play against other USPTA Professionals, showcase skills, and win prize money. Members who play in the surface championships have the opportunity to play their way into the second annual USPTA Masters Invitational. The event will be held at the 2016 USPTA World Conference in Indian Wells, Calif. This tournament, which replaces the International Championships, gives USPTA-certified Professionals an added opportunity to showcase their skills and earn a portion of the $15,000 prize money, which is the largest amount awarded of all the USPTA tournaments.
For more information on the USPTA Surface Championships, visit uspta.com/tournaments.
2015 USPTA Hard Court Championship Results
Men’s Open Singles
Stefano Ianni (Miami) def. Adrians Zguns (Orlando, Fla.) 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (10-8)
Women’s Open Singles (Round Robin)
Men’s Open Doubles
S. Ianni/A. Zguns def. Rudy Obergon (San Antonio, Texas)/Thiago Barbosa (Glendale, Ariz.) 8-4
Women’s Open Doubles (Round Robin)
Men’s 35 Singles
Cary Lothringer (The Woodlands, Texas) def. Jason Holland (Portland, Texas) 6-4, 4-6, 11-9
Women’s 35 Singles (Round Robin)
Men’s 55 Singles
Kimm Ketelsen (Tyler, Texas) def. William Carte (Fresno, Calif.) 7-5, 7-5
Mixed Open Doubles
M. McCollom/A. Zguns def. Morozova-Pomier/John-Paul Connell (Tyler, Texas) 8-0
Full results of the 2015 USPTA Hart Court Championships are available on getcourtside.com.