Grand Prix Boston Open Recap

January 28, 2020
Weston, MA

2020 Boston Open Grand Prix Women's Final Results (doc),   (pdf)

2020 Boston Open Grand Prix Men's Final Results (doc),  (pdf)

Everyone knew that the Boston Open was going to be awesome. On the men’s side, it was the highest rated tournament so far this year and the women’s tournament was the second highest rated this season.

WOMEN

The tournament stayed true to the seedings until the quarterfinals when things got more interesting. Ana Brzova and Roxy Enica took out Cynthia Dardis and Amy Shay (who had won the last Grand Prix in Cincinnati). Brzova was a last-minute substitute for an ailing Laura Berendt. Alison Morgan and Charlotte Sikora, one of the hottest teams on the tour defeated the fourth-seeded team of Kerri Delmonico and Lauren Gebbia (in only their second appearance of the Grand Prix season). The most dynamic match of the quarters was played by the number one seeds Annica Cooper and Florentina Hanisch against Jessica Guyaux and Myrthe Molenveld. Guyaux/Molenveld had not played together since the first Grand Prix of the year. They won the first set 6-4, Cooper/Hanisch won the second at 1-6, and then came the third set. Cooper/Hanisch were in an 0-5 hole but dug in and started to creep back into the game until they got to 5-5. Disaster was averted by Guyaux/Molenveld who grabbed back the momentum and won the third set at 7-5.

In the semis, Guyaux/Molenveld continued their momentum and defeated Morgan/Sikora 6-4, 6-3. The other semi was not as straight forward with Martina Ondrejkova and Ana Zubori needing three sets to defeat Brzova/Enica.

In the finals, Ondrejkova/Zubori continued their pattern of shrugging off a poor set to win the match in three sets. The first set seemed to indicate an easy win since they took that set 6-1. However, a combination of Guyaux/Molenveld steadying themselves, getting their lobs deeper to prevent the offensive overheads of Ondrejkova/Zubori from causing damage, and a slight dip in the play of Ondrejkova/Zubori allowed Guyaux/Molenveld to get on the board at 6-4. The third set was close, but the powerful overheads of the winners allowed them to minimize any offense from Guyaux/Molenveld, giving Ondrejkova/Zubori the slight edge they needed to take the third set at 6-4 and the Boston crown.

MEN

The men’s field was extraordinarily strong with most of the top players in the country showing up in Weston. No upsets, but plenty of great matches until the quarterfinals. Brian Compton and Scott Kahler (4) lost to the seventh-seeded brother team Peter Rose and Paul Rose, 6-2, 5-7, 6-1. Marek Czerwinski and Graham McNerney (3) lost to the local favorites Johan du Randt and Stephen Mitchell (6) at 6-4, 6-4. John Hughes and Marc Powers, not seen at a Grand Prix since October, took out Sven Burus and Mikk Irdoja (5). Burus/Irdoja had made it to the finals of the last Grand Prix, the Midwesterns. The fourth quarterfinal had the potential for excitement, pitting current National Champions Juan Arraya and Mark Parsons (1) against Alex Bancila and Tyler Fraser. Unfortunately, Bancila went down to an injury in the third game of the match and Arraya/Parsons moved on.

In the semis, Hughes/Powers made short work of the Rose Brothers winning 6-0, 6-1. The other semi was much more of a dog fight. Arraya’s level of play in the first set was breath-taking and he and Parsons took the first set at 6-2. Much to the delight of the large crowd of spectators the local pros du Randt/Mitchell were a bit more savvy in the second set, winning it at 6-4. As usual du Randt seemed to be everywhere and it was clear that Mitchell’s increased experience on the paddle court served him well. The final set was not as hotly contested, and du Randt/Mitchell took it 6-2.

The final between du Randt/Mitchell versus Hughes/Powers brought out a large crowd of local supporters. Even though Hughes/Powers have had the upper hand recently against du Randt, a two-time National Champion cannot be discounted. The first set was on du Randt’s paddle as he held two set points at 5-4, however Hughes/Powers got the break and won the first set, 7-5. In the second set, the lefty overheads of Hughes and the powerful ground strokes of Powers made the difference and they became three-time champions at the Boston Open, winning 7-5, 6-3.

THANKS

Many thanks and congratulations are due to Drew Sawyer and Genius Chidzikwe for their amazing work organizing the tournament. The food, the favors, the set-up, all were first class. The APTA would like to thank our Live Stream commentators who always give so much of their time to the sport—Lauren Mandell, Brad Easterbrook, and Mark Fischl. Thanks to Tour Director Jackie Cameron for her calm hand on the tournament rudder.

SPONSORS

Thanks also to the generous tournament sponsors: Presenting sponsor Discipline & Alpha LLC, Owl’s Nest Resort, Worcester Air, Weston Golf Club, Anchor Capital Advisors, blue on Highland, Bonvie Homes, Bully Boy Distillers, Corcoran & Havlin Insurance Group, Columbus & Over Group, Liberty Mutual Insurance, Narragansett, and The New England Country Club.

BENEFITTING CHARITY

Thank you to everyone who contributed to Good Sports—Kids who play do better. Good Sports gives all kids the lifelong benefits of sport and physical activity by providing new equipment, apparel, and footwear to those most in need. See Goodsports.org for more ways to contribute.

Women's Finalists

Men's Finalists