by John Lumley
We had an excellent turnout for the US 50s singles and doubles championships with twenty-one players. In the first round singles, Guy Elzey & Jon Auerbach was the highlight match with Elzey taking the win 3-6, 6-5, 6-3 with some very long and intense points. In the quarterfinals, Jeremy Wintersteen had a convincing win over John Madzin to secure his spot in the semis. Jim Zug had a good first set against Mark Philpott, but Philpott fought back in the second set to take it 6-4 and level the match. Zug, turning up the heat, found some form and captured the final set 6-0 to earn a trip to the semis. Robert Peel had an absolute battle against Michael Gorsen, which went Peel’s way 6-3, 5-6, 6-3, which got him his semifinal spot. Bill Barker played some solid court tennis against Chandra Soucek, who had some superb wins along the way, taking out home favorite Bruce Katz 6-5, 6-3 in the previous round. Barker took the match against Soucek 6-0, 6-1.
The first semifinal pitted Wintersteen versus Zug. Wintersteen was quick out of the gate, applying lots of pressure and took the first set 6-2. In the second set, the first four games went to deuce before Wintersteen took control and won 6-2, 6-0 booking his spot in the final. The other semifinal saw Barker playing some great volleys and controlling play to win the match 6-2, 6-0 against Peel. Peel had a great run and was the only international player, which was great to see someone travel over from the UK!
The final looked to be a barn burner between Wintersteen and Barker. Both players retrieved superbly, and making points go. It was a match of high level tennis, and the crowd was on the edge of their seats! At five games all in the first set, Wintersteen snuck in two Grilles to close out the set 6-5. Barker keen for the title fought back in the second set, and they found themselves again at five games all. Barker hit some clutch return of serves and claimed the second set 6-5! Tied at one-set-all tensions were running high, and Wintersteen relying on fitness seemed to be breaking away, taking the set and the title 6-5, 5-6, 6-3. A fantastic match from both players and a big congratulations to Jeremy.
In the doubles, Michael Gorsen & John Schellenberg found themselves one set to love up on Jeremy Wintersteen & Peter Vogt, but Wintersteen and Vogt had other plans taking the match 4-6, 6-0, 6-1. A great effort from Gorsen & Schellenberg. In the final, the number 1 seeds played the number 2 seeds – Bill Barker & Jim Zug versus Jeremy Wintersteen & Peter Vogt. Barker & Zug came out the gate quickly, but Vogt found some great volleys at the net and clawed the team back to 4 games all. Zug played some great balls to close the set 6-4. Wintersteen, gritting his teeth as he wanted the double win, came out firing to take the second set 6-2. Tied at one-set-all, Barker & Zug went on the offensive to capture the match and the title 6-4, 2-6, 6-2.
Thank you to all the players and spectators for supporting the event.
