2018 Payne Whitney Memorial Intercity Doubles
by R&T
The Racquet & Tennis Club hosted the 85th Payne Whitney Memorial Intercity Doubles December 7-9, 2018. The Whitney Cup remains one of the most beloved events of the Court Tennis season, bringing together the very best amateur doubles players from each club across the U.S. The event was extremely well supported by a vocal crowd throughout the weekend with the Friday evening USCTA Dinner attracting a record number.
Six teams (Greentree, New England, New York, Philadelphia, Tuxedo-Aiken-Chicago and Washington) of five doubles pairs each compete for the coveted title. There were several new players competing this year, including Phil Stockton of Greentree, Henry Smith of Philadelphia, and John Beam and George Handy III of Tuxedo.
Matches began on Friday morning; in Group 1 Washington faced off against defending champions New York. New York had the edge in each of the first 4 matches, building an unassailable lead. Linc Frank & Bruce Manson were particularly impressive, winning their Seniors match in straight-sets. The final match of the tie pitted Jonathan Larken and Zach Sacks against Washington youngsters, Erik Barker and Noah Motz. Despite knowing that the tie was already decided, the young pair came out fired up and clearly looking to prove a point. They got off to a strong start, and Barker’s volleying aided by Motz’s hard hitting proved too much for the experienced New York team.
Unfortunately for the Washington team matches followed a similar pattern in their tie with New England. Barker and Motz picked up the only victory in a 4-1 loss, all matches decided in straight sets.
The match between New York and New England would decide who progressed to Sunday’s Final. Pat Winthrop and Todd Merignoff produced some impressive Tennis to take the first match for New England in three sets. That lead was extended by the Seniors team of George Bell and John Damon. The match of the day followed; Jeremy Wintersteen and Garrett Gates knowing that victory over Lex Miron and Matt Mackin would clinch victory for New England. Experienced campaigners Wintersteen and Miron controlled their ends of the court aided by spectacular feats of athleticism by Gates and Mackin who both patrolled the galleries. Gates and Wintersteen will feel that they should have won this match having been ahead for long stretches. At the crucial moments in was the New York pair who prevailed, sealing victory 4/6 6/5 6/5 in a match that was every bit as tense as the score-line suggests! New York were able to close out the remaining two matches, sealing a 3/2 victory and a spot in the Final.
In Group 2 Greentree defeated Tuxedo-Aiken-Chicago 4-1, the score-line not reflecting the competitive nature of the tie. Brook Hazelton and Peter Pell won the decisive victory with a hard-fought 6/4 5/6 6/4 win.
Philadelphia were expected to be contenders for overall victory, newly crowned US Amateur Doubles winners Jon Crowell and Will Hopton leading their challenge. However, they were beaten by Aiken pair Rakesh Jasani & Ben Cook, and with Guy Devereux and Jason Mengel also producing an upset, the score was tied at 2-2 going into the final match. The score couldn’t have been much tighter with newcomers John Beam and George Handy taking the victory for Tuxedo-Aiken-Chicago 6/5 in the deciding set.
Greentree was able to book their place in the final with a 4-1 win against Philadelphia. The partnership of Ben Stein and Addison West looked particularly impressive winning their match with Crowell and Hopton.
It was therefore a familiar match-up in Sunday’s Final, New York and Greentree contesting for overall honors. New York were heavily favored in the later matches, meaning Greentree knew they would probably need to take the morning matches in order to give themselves a chance of victory. The first match of the day was perhaps the match of the tournament, with all four players producing their best tennis. Will Thompson and Spike Willcocks took the first set for New York after saving several set points, but were unable to stop Addison West and Ben Stein from taking the next two, and the match. The Seniors were next up, with Greentree pair Simon Aldrich & Rob McLane rolling back the years to clinch a comfortable straight sets victory. With Greentree leading 2-0 the New York team would have no margin for error in any of the three afternoon matches. New York pair Matt Mackin and Lex Miron showed no ill effects after their marathon match the previous afternoon, clinching victory with a controlled performance. The following match between Greentree stalwarts Peter Pell & Brook Hazelton, and New York’s Tom McGinnis & Peter Cipriano looked to be one of the most interesting matchups of the day. Both teams came into the Final with unbeaten records, though it was the New York pair who stared more brightly, taking the first set 6/2. Their dominance continued in the 2nd set which they sealed to take the overall scores to 2-2.
For the third year in a row the event would be decided by the final match. On paper the New York pair were firm favorites, though they had shown vulnerability in both of their matches en route. Greentree were represented by Dylan Patterson and Hugh McDonald, both of whom are fast improving after making the transition to Court Tennis following success in other sports (Squash and Tennis respectively). It was the New York pair who dominated the service end, and comfortably took the first set. Despite some excellent moments, and the hint of a fightback, the New York pair ultimately had too much firepower, sealing the match and clinching victory.
Congratulations to the New York team on their, 5th victory in a row, 7th out of the last 8 and 27th team victory overall.
Thanks go to Tournament Chairman Peter Pell and the Whitney Cup Committee, and the staff of the Racquet & Tennis Club.
