Minnesota’s Larson Defends Singles Title at 2016 USPTA Indoor Championships
MEMPHIS – For the second consecutive year, Tony Larson won the men’s open singles division at the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) Indoor Championships in March at the Racquet Club of Memphis in Memphis, Tenn.
Larson (Fridley, Minn.) defeated Thiago Santos (Salina, Kan.) in three sets (6-2, 4-6, 6-1) to win the division for the sixth win in the past seven years. He also won four consecutive men’s open singles titles between 2010-2013, and the 2016 championship gives him a seventh overall singles title across all divisions in addition to his eight doubles titles in the USPTA Surface Championship series.
Santos didn’t go home empty handed. He picked up the men’s open doubles crown with partner and fellow Kansan Victor Carvalho De Melo by defeating the Memphis duo of Jay Horne and Michael Chamberlain, 6-1, 6-3.
Johan Gedlitschka (Greensboro, N.C.) cruised to the finals in the men’s 45 singles division and defeated Rob Horsch by a forfeit after leading 3-0.
Horsch (Laguna Niguel, Calif.) did pick up a narrow win in the men’s 45 doubles division alongside teammate Kevin Gillette (Meridan, Miss.) by defeating Johan Svennsson and M.J. Garnett 6-2, 3-6, 10-8.
Horne also won the tournament’s Sportsmanship Award, which was awarded for the first time this year.
Next up in the USPTA Surface Championship series is the $10,000 2016 Clay Court Championships in Miramar Beach, Fla., at TOPS’L Beach & Racquet Resort.
As a benefit to USPTA-certified members, the surface championships provide an opportunity to play against other USPTA Professionals, showcase skills, and win prize money. Members who play in the surface championships have the opportunity to play their way into the second annual USPTA Masters Invitational. The event will be held at the 2016 USPTA World Conference in Indian Wells, Calif. This tournament, which replaces the International Championships, gives USPTA-certified Professionals an added opportunity to showcase their skills and earn a portion of the $7,500 prize money.
Full results of the 2016 USPTA Indoor Championships are available on getcourtside.com.
For more information on the USPTA Surface Championships, visit uspta.com/tournaments.
2016 USPTA Indoor Championship Results
Men’s Open Singles
Tony Larson (Fridley, Minn.) def. Thiago Santos (Salina, Kan.) 6-2, 4-6, 6-1
Men’s Open Doubles
Santos/Victor Carvalho De Melo (Salina, Kan.) def. Jay Horne (Memphis)/Michael Chamberlain (Memphis), 6-1, 6-3.
Men’s 45 Singles
Johan Gedlitschka (Greensboro, N.C.) def. Rob Horsch (Laguna Niguel, Calif.) by a forfeit, 3-0
Men’s 45 Doubles
Horsch/Kevin Gillette (Meridan, Miss.) def. Johan Svennsson (Lakeland, Tenn.)/M.J. Garnett (Collierville, Tenn.) 6-2, 3-6, 10-8
About the USPTA
Founded in 1927, the USPTA is the global leader in tennis-teacher certification and professional development. With more than 14,000 members worldwide, the association raises the standards of tennis-teaching professionals and coaches and promotes a greater awareness of the sport.
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