by Barney Tanfield
The Racquet and Tennis Club hosted the 2021 U.S. National Open and Below Zero 22-27 September. A total of seventeen players competed between the two draws with the Below Zero acting as a feeder event for the National Open.
Thirteen US-based professionals were joined by four of the country’s top amateurs. World #1 Camden Riviere led a world-class field of entrants, which also included top seeds Steve Virgona, Tim Chisholm, James Stout and John Lumley.
Below Zero
The sixth annual Below Zero began with Shep Skiff upsetting top U.S. Amateur, Jon Crowell. Shep’s relentless pursuit of the ball combined with an ailing Crowell (struggling with a cumbersome neck injury) started the tournament off with a bang. With a comfortable first round win over RTC’s Zach Sacks, Adrian Kemp’s return from hand surgery went smoothly.
he quarterfinals produced a number of interesting and tight matches. Tony Hollins played some of the best tennis of his career throughout the event and took the scalp of RTC pro Josh Dodgson in three tight sets. Elsewhere RTC pro, Barney Tanfield,was challenged seriously by World Junior Champion, Freddie Bristowe. Tanfield eventually persevered in three tight sets but Freddie certainly awed the crowd and marked his debut to the upper echelons of the U.S. game.
The semifinals were no less exciting. A healthy and strong Conor Medlow just barely edged out a three set victory against an impressive Hollins. In the bottom semifinal, Leon Smart cruised convincingly to a straight set victory over Tanfield,serving and returning extremely well throughout.
The final began with both players looking to assert their dominance over the serving end. Medlow and Smart had each used their high serves to tremendous effect throughout the event and this match was no exception. The first set was tight and, at times, either player looked like he could prevail but it was Medlow who edged out the win.
Medlow fought back from a first set deficit and the win certainly relieved early match pressure. Medlow’s next set was perhaps his cleanest and highest quality of the tournament. Medlow’s great success seems likely to continue; and, we all hope that he can turn the corner on the injuries which have nagged him for the last few years.
National Open
The National Open was a star studded event, featuring four previous winners, Chisholm, Virgona, Riviere and Lumley, as well as former U.S. Open winner, Stout. First round matches were played on Friday afternoon with Medlow, Dodgson and
Stout all progressing with relative ease. The match between Tanfield and Hollins was a tighter affair with Tanfield edging out the T&R’s Head Pro in a tight two sets. Chisholm was pushed hard by Kemp, saving a set point in the first set, and dropping the second, yet prevailed in a tight third set.
The quarterfinals went according to seeding, but were not without drama. Chisholm was again pushed, this time by Dodgson, saving multiple set points on his way to victory. Stout and Virgona were drawn together in what promised to be the highlight of the round. Stout took the first set, and led 5-3 games, 30-love in the second set only to watch Virgona battle back to snatch the set. Stout was unable to continue the match and Virgona moved onto the semifinal. The other two matches were more routine affairs for the top seeds. Riviere and Lumley both made quick work of their respective opponents. Riviere continued his strong performance into the semifinals where he dispatched his doubles partner, Chisholm, without mercy. The second semifinal was a seesaw
affair between Virgona and Lumley; both players produced some magnificent shots and extended rallies. In the crucial 5-all game in the first set, it was Lumley who held his nerve and closed out the set. This seemed to give him the confidence to push on, and he was always in control of the second set which he won 6-2.
An excited crowd, both in person at the RTC and on the USCTA YouTube Page, was building for the Monday night final. With six of the last seven National Open titles to his name, current World #1, Riviere, began the match as the strong
favorite. The only other player to win the title during this period was his opponent, Lumley. With both players chasing down seemingly lost causes and striking targets almost at will, Riviere and Lumley traded blows early on. The first two sets in this best-of-five set contest were shared, and the third set sat on a knife’s edge at 5 games all. Leading 40-15, Lumley looked to be in position to clinch what many assumed would be the critical third set. However, Riviere isn’t known for giving up without a fight and he proved, again, what a formidable competitor he is, coming back to save these set points and then convert his own. With the set snatched from his grasp, Lumley’s energy abated and he let Riviere drift out to a lead in the fourth set. Riviere was not to be denied and he displayed another side of his game, hitting the grille and winning gallery with relentless consistency on his way to sealing the
set and, with it, the title of the 2021 National Open.
In their post-match speeches, the players both expressed their gratitude for the generous patronage of the Racquet and Tennis Club membership, Pro-Am participants, and the USCTA. Special thanks also go out to the National Open
Committee Chairman, Ted Goneos, and the RTC employees for putting on a great event. Without this patronage and support, the event would not be possible. Most matches were streamed live, and are available to watch on the USCTA YouTube channel. Many thanks must go to Ryan Carey who gave his time and expertise to make this possible.
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Photo by Michael Do
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Photo by Michael Do
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Photo by Michael Do
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Photo by Michael Do
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Photo by Michael Do
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Photo by Michael Do
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Photo by Michael Do
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Photo by Michael Do
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Photo by Barney Tanfield
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Photo by Barney Tanfield
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Photo by Barney Tanfield
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Photo by Barney Tanfield
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Photo by Barney Tanfield
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Photo by Barney Tanfield
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Photo by Barney Tanfield
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Photo by Barney Tanfield
