by James Asher
March 11th-13th, the Racquet Club hosted the Annual Percy Cup. The Percy Cup is a team event featuring three levels (25-40, 40-55, and 55+). We had 2 New York teams, 2 Aiken teams, 2 Washington teams, 2 Philadelphia teams, Tuxedo and Newport. Due to the size of the draw, we started at 8 am on Friday, with Aiken 2 and Newport doing battle. Newport got off to a strong start, winning their 3rd and 2nd strings, 8-4 and 8-3 respectively. The #1 strings did battle in the dead rubber match with Robert Glance and Mike Sullivan getting revenge on Newport to win 8-3. Next up was Philadelphia 2 against Aiken 1. With home court, advantage Philadelphia 2 came out on fire with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd string taking home a clean sweep. Washington and Tuxedo were next to do battle. The 3rd and 2nd strings were incredibly close battles, with both matches going to 7-7. Unfortunately for Washington, it was Tuxedo who took the decisive games. In the 1st string, Carey and Sternberg went up against Dick and Gorsen for another battle, with Carey and Sternberg sneaking through 8-6. New York 2 then played Washington 2 and came out firing with all strings winning convincingly to go through to the next round. Philadelphia 1 then came up against Newport with Philadelphia’s three strings winning 8-7 coming from 7-4 down. That put pressure on Newport’s 2nd string, but they held their nerve to win 8-4 and make it come down to the 1st strings. Bose and Bolling started well and never let up to bring the tie in Philadelphia’s favor winning 8-4 and advancing to the Semi-Finals. The day’s final match had New York 1 up against Philadelphia 2. It was a close match with Philadelphia’s 3rd string and New York’s 2nd string winning to set up the 1st strings to bring the tie home. Fortunately for New York, their 1st string started well and kept the control to win 8-3 and make New York advance to the Semi-Finals.
In the back draw, Washington 1 played Aiken 1 and managed to sneak through 2 matches to 1. Washington 2 then came up against Newport. Washington’s 3rd string won 8-4 before Newport fired back with the 2nd string winning 8-1, meaning it came down to the 1st string with Washington coming out on top 8-4 and advancing the Final of the back draw. Next up was Washington 1 against Aiken 2, and Washington took the match-winning all three matches to set up an all Washington Final.
In the Main Draw, Tuxedo played Philadelphia 1. Tuxedo’s 3rd string set the tone for Tuxedo winning 8-4 before Philadelphia 1 fired back to win 8-5, setting us up for a tense 1st string match. Philadelphia’s 1st string played some incredible tennis to take control and win the match 8-4 and advance to the Final. In the second, it was an all-New York tie. New York 1 started well with the 3rd string winning 8-3, and New York 2 came firing back with the 2nd string winning 8-3 to set up a tense finale. New York 2 started better, taking an early lead. New York 1 started to fight back but took too long to get going, eventually falling 8-4. Thus the final would be Philadelphia 1 versus New York 2.
We started with the Back Draw Final and the all Washington match on Sunday. Washington 1 brought themselves back into it with 2nd strings winning 8-4, leaving it down to the 1st strings. Washington 2 started better, with the 3rd strings winning 8-6. It was a back-and-forth battle, with neither team giving anything away with some clean tennis throughout the match. Fittingly it came down to the final game, and Washington 2 snuck it out 8-7 to win the Back Draw.
The Final started with the 3rd strings, and New York won a close first set, winning 6-5. The five-all game was crucial, with whoever won that game would take control of the 2nd set. Unfortunately for Philadelphia, New York won the game and then took the 2nd set to win 6-5, 6-1. Next up were the 2nd strings. New York started strongly, and Philadelphia just couldn’t get going with New York winning 6-2, 6-1, and taking home the Percy Cup. The day’s final match was the dead rubber for the 1st string. Philadelphia’s Bose and Bolling, who were consistent throughout their matches, continued their dominance to win 6-4, 6-2, and bring some pride back to Philadelphia.
Thanks a lot to all who came to play, and we look forward to seeing you all next year!
Click here for Complete Results
