by John Lumley
The 2025 Noll Cup brought together 22 top competitors from Boston, Aiken, Newport, and New York for an exciting and hard-fought tournament. With standout performances, major upsets, and a thrilling final, this year’s event delivered on every level.
One of the tournament’s biggest shocks came when Vern Cassin pulled off a remarkable win over the No. 1 seed, sealing victory in a tense 6-4 final set. Cassin’s resilience and shot-making under pressure made for one of the most talked-about matches of the event.
Spencer Yager had an impressive run to the final, showing his consistency and skill. He faced a stern test from Eric Haab, dropping a set along the way but ultimately advancing with confidence. Meanwhile, William Spruance dominated his side of the draw, not losing a set until the championship match. In the semifinals, he met Boston’s Tyler Sloan, who had been in stellar form throughout the tournament. However, Spruance’s power and precision proved too much, sending him to the final.
Michael Gorsen also made waves with a strong tournament run. He battled through a grueling match against Laurenson Ward, edging out a 6-5 final-set win, before putting together a composed and solid performance against Anders Cohen to earn his spot in the quarterfinals. His strong showing was one of the highlights of the early rounds.
The final itself was a clash of momentum swings. Yager started dominantly, taking the first set 6-1, but Spruance found his groove just in time. He turned the match around with a brilliant display of control and endurance, winning 6-2 6-1 to claim the 2025 Noll Cup title.
