By an interested observer
The Etchebaster trophy was contested at the Racquet Club of Chicago from January 19th – 22nd, 2024. Six players traveled to Chicago from New York, Boston, Detroit, Philadelphia, Washington D.C and Aiken. There was also a strong field of 16 Chicago players, and a notable performance goes to Chicago’s Lawson Buhl, who lost narrowly in the R16 to #2 seed Jason McAlhaney 6-3, 4-6, 6-5.
The Etchebaster final of 2024 was between Chicago’s John Pak and Westwood Country Club’s Conrad Calcagno. Conrad had earlier survived two three-set thrillers on Saturday, firstly in the quarterfinal against local player Conor Allen 4-6, 6-5, 6-4.In the semi-final, he had an equally close match against #2 seed Jason McAlhaney, narrowly prevailing 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.
The final started very evenly, with the players going game for game in the first set. The players found themselves at 5-5, and with some steady, methodical play from the service end, Conrad closed out the set 6-5.The Etchebaster trophy was contested at the Racquet Club of Chicago from January 19th – 22nd, 2024. Six players traveled to Chicago from New York, Boston, Detroit, Philadelphia, Washington D.C and Aiken. There was also a strong field of 16 Chicago players, and a notable performance goes to Chicago’s Lawson Buhl, who lost narrowly in the R16 to #2 seed Jason McAlhaney 6-3, 4-6, 6-5.
The Etchebaster final of 2024 was between Chicago’s John Pak and Westwood Country Club’s Conrad Calcagno. Conrad had earlier survived two three-set thrillers on Saturday, firstly in the quarterfinal against local player Conor Allen 4-6, 6-5, 6-4.
In the semi-final, he had an equally close match against #2 seed Jason McAlhaney, narrowly prevailing 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.
The final started very evenly, with the players going game for game in the first set. The players found themselves at 5-5, and with some steady, methodical play from the service end, Conrad closed out the set 6-5.
Losing the first set seemed to light a fire under John as he played an aggressive, flawless second set where Conrad had no answers and won convincingly 6-1. The third set started similarly for John as he jumped out to a 4-2 lead and seemed the likely victor. In the pivotal 7th game, a couple of loose serves saw John lose the service end and his momentum. Conrad checked his nerves to reel off four consecutive games and score the victory.
The final score was 6-5, 1-6, 6-4.
Thanks to all of the players who made it to Chicago for the tournament, and thanks also to Racquet Club General Manager Richard Duggan, Athletic Chairman Baker Thompson, Tournament Chairman Conor Allen, Head Chef Mike Coronel for his delicious Friday Stag dinner, and John Cashman and Steve Virgona for marking the tournament.
Conrad Calcagno & John Pak
