The 2017 USCTA Mixed Doubles had a small, but enthusiastic group of six teams representing 5 U.S. based clubs:
- The Tuxedo Club
- Prince’s Court
- National Tennis Club
- Boston Tennis & Racquet Club
- New York Racquet & Tennis Club
Quarter-Finals
The 1st quarter-final match was Francine Maitland & Dan Laukitis play smart & efficiently in a routine 6/0 6/2 victory over Jeanne Heffernan & Charles deCasteja.
The 2nd quarter-final showed the ‘state of mind’ of the team from Boston; as Helen Grassi & Jeremy Wintersteen gave no quarter in their 6/0 6/0 victory over Suzy Schwartz & Rich Mueller.
Semi-Finals
Tournament favorites Amanda Avedissian & Ryan Carey took to the court for the 1st time versus Francine Maitland & Dan Laukitis. This was a very entertaining match with many long rallies and some fantastic volleying by all the players! Avedissian & Carey defended their pre-tournament favorite label in a 6/1 6/1 victory.
The 2nd semi-final pitted the two most evenly matched pairs based upon RTO handicaps. The Tuxedo pair of Xanthe Ranger & Alan McHugh were hoping to improve upon their 2016 runner-up result. Grassi/Wintersteen continued on as a team on a mission this weekend, booking their spot in the final with a 6/3 6/5 victory.
Final
Grassi & Wintersteen continued their stellar play in the final; playing very solid tennis in taking a 3/2 lead in the 1st set. Avedissian & Carey after a lengthy chat on a changeover seemingly ‘righted the ship’ and ran off the next ten games and are our 2017 USCTA Mixed Doubles Champions! Congratulations to Amanda & Ryan!!
The Back Draw
In the 1st semi-final; the fans were treated to a family affair although spouses were traded as Jeanne Heffernan & Charled deCasteja took on Xanthe Ranger & Alan McHugh. Ranger & McHugh were too strong and booked their spot in the final with a 6/1 6/1 victory.
In the 2nd semi-final a great match was played with Francine Maitland & Dan Laukitis earning a well-deserved spot in the back draw final with a 6/4 6/5 victory over Suzy Schwartz & Rich Mueller.
The back draw final had a very Tuxedo feel to it; and after narrowly winning the first set 6/5, Ranger & McHugh ran away with the 2nd set and earning the victory in the 2017 USCTA Mixed Doubles back draw.
