We had a fantastic turnout at this year’s US Over 60’s at The Racquet Club of Philadelphia. The first round singles saw Sewall Hodges play very steady and consistent Tennis to beat Rob Carlson but he was stopped by a very strong Bruce Manson who was serving and volleying superbly. Rowan Carroll played some fantastic Tennis to beat Jules Zacher but again Bruce Manson was too steady for Rowan in the end winning 6-3,6-3 to secure his place in the final. On the other half of the draw Dick Tanfield and Greg Van Schaack were too strong for their opponents and both progressed through to the semi where they play the match of the tournament! First set went to Dick 6-5 with a nail biting Deuce and advantage exchange before he closed out the set. But as we all know Greg Van Schaack is not one to give up and he fought his way back with some amazing retrieving and accurate shots to win the match 5-6 6-3 6-3. With the No.1 seed and No.2 seed in the final the stage was set for an exciting match. Greg came out of the blocks quickly to take a 3-1 lead but Bruce got a hold of his serve and was applying pressure opening up opportunities to end the point quickly take the lead 4-3. A long rally with some amazing shots went in Greg’s favor and turned the tables to give Greg the confidence to take the first set 6-4. With momentum in his favor Greg kept the pressure on to take a 5-1 lead but Bruce played some great points to get it back to 5-3 before Greg closed it out with some great length returns. Greg Van Schaack wins the Over 60’s singles for the second year in a row at The Racquet Club 6-4 6-3.
In the doubles Jules Zacher & William Cartier had a slow start against Rob Carlson & Arthur Horowitz going 5-2 down but ended up winning 6-5 6-1. In the semi finals Peter Clement & Greg Van Schaack played some aggressive Tennis to reach the final 6-1 6-0. The doubles match of the tournament was with Dick Tanfield & Rowan Carroll vs Peter Vogt & Al Gordon. The first set was a 5 epic with Vogt & Gordon taking it. Tanfield & Carroll kept the pressure on and played some impressive doubles to go on and win 5-6 6-3 6-2. The final saw Van Schaack & Clement take on Tanfield & Carroll and with some great serving and volleying from Clement they took the first set 6-4. Tanfield & Carroll kept fighting but in the end it wasn’t enough to keep the Clement & Van Schaack team away and they won 6-4 6-4.
A very big congratulations to Greg Van Schaack on a tremendous weekend here in Philadelphia and to his partner Peter Clement on a fantastic tournament.
