This years US Amateur Championship March 11-14 attracted a small field of players to the Aiken Tennis Club. All of those who did participate enjoyed the usual warm and gracious reception by the members of the ATC.
Results of the singles competition were as follows:
First round action saw local Rakish Jasani fall to Princes’ Court member Kris Motz 6/1 and 6/5. Aiken’s Ben Cook mounted a serious comeback in the second and third sets to defeat Peter Pell 0/6, 6/2, 6/4. Boston’s Jeremy Wintersteen defeated Washington’s Ryan Carey 6/0, 6/1.
Semi Final action saw NYR&TC’s Addison West defeat Kris Motz 6/0, 6/1 while Jeremy Wintersteen had a more difficult time defeating Ben Cook 6/3, 0/6, 6/4.
The first set of the finals had the crowd thinking a major upset was in the making as Wintersteen was at his best confusing West with a wide variety of returns, volley’s, and excellent digging out of the corners. Wintersteen was up 6/5 before West regained control of his own game. Addison started serving tighter, and mixed up his power game with some beautiful touch shots. Addison prevailed in the next three sets 6/2 6/1 6/0 to win the 2010 US Amateur title.
The doubles only attracted four teams for the championship. Jeremy Wintersteen and Ben Cook defeated Greg Van Schaack and Rakish Jasani 6/1, 6/5 in the first semi final. Peter Pell and Addison West defeated a very spirited duo of Ryan Carey and Kris Motz 6/1, 6/3. The final was very entertaining and much closer then the score indicates, Peter Pell and Addison West defeated Jeremy Wintersteen and Ben Cook 6/4 6/0 6/3
The US 50’s also drew a small field to Aiken this year. Simon Aldrich moved straight into the finals with a 6/0, 6/1 defeat of Aiken’s Charlie Bostwick. RCOP member Ted Manges struggled with Aiken’s Duncan Rutherfurd before winning 6/4, 2/6, 6/5 to set up a semi final with Greg Van Schaack. Ted was somewhat hampered by an old injury, Van Schaack prevailed 6/1, 6/1, to set up the final versus Aldrich. No one in the crowd expected this result; but the combination of Greg playing very solid tennis and Simon having and unusual off day resulted in the US 50’s crown to Greg Van Schaack 4/6, 6/2, 6/1.
Four teams entered the US 50’s Doubles, all were scheduled directly into the semi finals!
Rick Preston and Ted Manges teamed up together to make a very strong challenge before falling to Greg Van Schaack and Bob Hay 6/1, 3/6, 6/4. In the other semi Simon Aldrich and Charlie Johnstone had an easier time with Charlie Bostwick and Duncan Rutherfurd winning 6/1, 6/3.
The finals provided the audience with a back and forth match where every player experienced a few hot and cold spurts. The team that won managed to keep the momentum when it mattered the most. Congratulations to the US 50’s Doubles Champions Simon Aldrich and Charlie Johnstone, by the score of 6/1, 2/6, 6/2. Great effort to Greg Van Schaack and Bob Hay the runner’s up.
As Tournament Director I thank all players who made an effort to make the journey to Aiken. I can only hope that in the future, others will decide to do the same. Ask those who came this year, I sense they will endorse the experience.
