2016 Patterson Women’s Preview

October 3, 2016
Fairfield, CT

A relatively new event dating back to 2012, the women’s draw at the Patterson Open NRT/Viking PCQ now attracts one of the strongest fields on the APTA calendar. As a Grand Prix tournament last year, the Patterson Open attracted many of the top women’s players, and this year the field is even stronger and deeper.

There is a big shake up underway in the women’s game with several of the top players combining with different partners. Florentina Hanisch/ Viki Stoklosova, Liz Jaffe/Dana Parsons, Debora Castany/Sue Tarzian, Ana Brzova/Alison Morgan, and Myrthe Molenveld/Marina Ohlmuller are four pairings who are betting experience plus firepower equals a winning equation. Veterans Kerri Delmonico and Jessica Guyaux, both fierce competitors, are also pairing up for the first time.

In all the buzz surrounding the new women’s teams entered in this tournament, it would be easy to forget the tried and true pairings filling out the draw. Given that the #1 and #2 teams are entered, that would be a mistake. National Champions Gabi Niculescu/Martina Ondrejkova and finalists Cynthia Dardis/Amy Shay will be the two top seeded teams and the favorites to reach the finals. Liz Cruz/Roxy Enica, both pregnant for parts of last season, are determined to come back strong this year. Hallie Bodman/Liz Hayward and Ania Kazekavich/Heather Prop, both teams making their Patterson Open debuts, round out the top 10 teams. Only three players who finished in the top ten last year won’t be competing in the tournament (Lauren Gebbia, Lynn Schneebeck and Keri Flynn).

The 2016 Patterson Open boasts a draw filled with top teams, some old, some new. Players and fans alike can expect loads of exciting matchups and great paddle.