The first match was between Rich Smith (NPT) and Andrew Fowler (NY). It was a very even match, as neither player could hold the lead. In the end, Smith won with a score of 5/6, 6/5, 6/5!
The second match featured #5 ranked Camden Riviere (NPT) and #7 ranked Mike Gooding (NY). Gooding took an early lead, but Rivieire found his groove and won the match 6/5, 6/0.
Given that Newport won the two singles match, a third possible deciding doubles match was not needed.
USCTA President, Jim Wharton, presented the Newport team with bottles of champagne. In his remarks, Wharton, pointed out that Gooding, despite losing, was still a force in the game. Gooding, twice Riviere’s age, has been consistently ranked in the top 10 for the majority of his 20+ years playing career. And there’s no sign that he plans to slow down in the coming years.
Riviere, on the other hand, is at the start of his professional career and it looks like “the skies the limit”.
The National League is in its second year. Modeled after the UK National League, the US National League enables the professionals from various clubs in the US to compete against each other in a competitive format. All preliminary matches are played on a home and away basis. The League has provided a great opportunity for the clubs’ members to socialize and watch high quality tennis on a regular basis.
