San Diego, Calif. – (June 4, 2017) – Top-seeded Keegan Smith looked prepared to begin his collegiate tennis career at UCLA later this fall as he won the men’s singles title at the USTA National Open Hard Court Championships before a large crowd at the Balboa Tennis Club.
The 18-year-old Smith of San Diego (Point Loma) put on a solid performance in the men’s singles final as he defeated fifth-seeded Ryan Seggerman of Coronado, Calif, 6-3, 6-3 in one-hour and 15 minutes. Smith used his powerful serve to his advantage as the champion dropped a total of only six points on his serve during the straight-set victory.
“I was pumped. It was a great match and a great tournament. I’m super stoked at the outcome. It’s a huge confidence boost,” Smith said. “He (Seggerman) has a different style of play. It’s a bit unorthodox. He can hit it big, but he likes the slices and he comes in a lot. I just kept focused every point.”
Smith said he was pleased to have had the opportunity to play a USTA National event close to home. “It’s great. It’s been really cool. It’s in San Diego and it’s such a convenient tournament. I love it. The crowds have been awesome,” he added. “I just want to say thanks to everyone for putting this tournament on.”
Later in the afternoon, Smith finished the day with another USTA gold ball as he teamed with Billy Rowe of Coronado, Calif., to win the men’s doubles championship with a 7-6 (5), 6-1 victory over Seggerman and Timothy Sah of San Diego.
In the women’s singles final, second-seeded Monica Robinson of Valley Center, Calif., rallied to win the title with an entertaining come-from-behind 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 win over top-seed and defending champion Jessica Failla of Ramona, Calif., that took two-hours and 55 minutes to complete.
For the 22-year-old Robinson, a former tournament champion who just completed her collegiate tennis career at the University of Notre Dame, this week’s tournament singles title was a little bit more special than the one she won back in 2014.
“It just felt great to win that final point. You just feel this relief. You just achieved what you’ve worked for all week,” she said. “This one is pretty special. Being a Notre Dame alumnus and being able to win it again is really special. This is one of my favorite tournaments. The atmosphere is great and we get great crowds. It’s San Diego, you can’t beat this weather.”
For complete final scores and results, along with final draws for each division, please go to:
http://tennislink.usta.com/tournaments/TournamentHome/Tournament.aspx?T=186158
The champions in each division were awarded a USTA gold ball, while the runner-up received a USTA silver ball. There was also be a 3rd/4th place playoff for the USTA bronze ball. Prize money was distributed to both finalists as well as third and fourth place finishers in each division.
The USTA National Open Hard Court Championships, which was voted, “2011 Tournament of the Year” by the San Diego District Tennis Association, has had several distinguished participants in past events. U.S. Davis Cup star Jack Sock, who is currently at No. 15 in the ATP World Tour singles rankings (as of 5/29/17), won the Men’s Singles Championship in 2010. Coco Vandeweghe, a semifinalist at this year’s Australian Open, earned a USTA bronze ball at the 2007 Hard Court Championships. Former WTA touring professionals Gretchen Rush and Ros Nideffer won the Women’s Open Doubles title seven times, while Allison Bradshaw captured the Women’s Open Singles title in 2007.
The 2017 USTA National Open Hard Court Championships are sponsored by Wilson, San Diego District Tennis Association, United States Tennis Association, Graphic Interfaces, Clif Bar, Diadem, Minuteman Press of Mission Valley, CH Court Tech, Echo Sports & Third World Sports, Inc., San Diego Aviators, Kashi, and Martinis Above Fourth | Table + Stage.
About The Balboa Tennis Club
In addition to the USTA National Open Hard Court Championships, the Balboa Tennis Club is the site for many prestigious tournaments throughout the year, such as the Maureen Connolly Balboa Open, the San Diego District Championships, the San Diego Metropolitan Tournament. The club, which is also the home of the San Diego Tennis Hall of Fame, boasts over 1,400 members, and is visited by approximately 6,000 day pass visitors each year. As a nonprofit organization, Balboa Tennis Club is dedicated to offering the finest facilities at an affordable price to help foster and develop the great game of tennis in San Diego.
The history of the Balboa Tennis Club dates back to 1922 when a small group of tennis enthusiasts raised $5,000 among themselves, and with the cooperation from the City Recreation Department, constructed six tennis courts adjacent to the present War Memorial Building. On April 24, 1924, the San Diego Tennis Association received a lease to operate the courts for the public. The following year, a small clubhouse with locker rooms was built, but it was not until June 1939 that Articles of Incorporation were drawn up, and the Balboa Tennis Club actually was formed as a public, nonprofit corporation to foster and develop the game of tennis in San Diego….and to encourage competitive play with other clubs of this and other communities.
The club flourished many years at its original location and aided many young players in developing their games. In June 1966, the club moved to its present location and in July, 1983, assumed all the operational responsibilities of the Morley Field Tennis Complex. In 1989 Balboa Tennis Club was rated as America’s Best Public Tennis Facility by the USTA. In 2000, the San Diego District Tennis Association named BTC as Club of the Year. In 2003, it received the Outstanding Tennis Facility award from the USTA for large facilities in the United States.
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USTA National Open Hard Court Championships
Balboa Tennis Club
San Diego
Sunday’s Results
Men’s Singles
Championship
Keegan Smith (1), San Diego, def. Ryan Seggerman (5), Coronado, Calif., 6-3, 6-3
Third Place
Brandon Nakashima (8), San Diego, def. Billy Rowe (7), Coronado, Calif., walkover (injury)
Men’s Doubles
Championship
Billy Rowe (1), Coronado, Calif., and Keegan Smith, San Diego, def. Timothy Sah (3), San Diego and Ryan Seggerman, Coronado, Calif., 7-6 (5) 6-1
Women’s Singles
Championship
Monica Robinson (2), Valley Center, Calif., def. Jessica Failla (1), Ramona, Calif., 2-6, 6-4, 6-1
Third Place
Dominique Schaefer (3), Newbury Park, Calif., def. Jennifer Kerr (5), Carlsbad, Calif., 6-3, 6-1
Women’s Doubles
Championship
Annette Goulak, Oak Park, Calif., and Devon Jack, San Marino, Calif., def. Jessica Failla (1), Ramona, Calif., and Monica Robinson, Valley Center, Calif., 3-6, 7-6 (4), 10-2
Mixed Doubles
Championship
Annette Goulak (3), Oak Park, Calif., and Timothy Sah, San Diego, def. Ryan Seggerman (2), Coronado, Calif., and Hannah Zhao San Diego, 7-5, 6-4
For complete tournament results, go to:
http://tennislink.usta.com/tournaments/TournamentHome/Tournament.aspx?T=186158#&&s=8Results0
