Icy Hot TVOC Tennis - Sunday Final: Harrison O'Keefe, McCartney Kessler Double Winners

Tennis fans were treated to big time tennis Sunday morning with long rallies, power ground strokes and solid tennis strategy as a pair of three setters in the men’s and women’s open singles finals highlighted the Icy Hot TVOC Tennis Tournament at Manker Patten Tennis Club Sunday.

In the women’s open, No.1 seed Emma Kurtz (Atlanta) rallied to beat close friend McCartney Kessler (Calhoun), 5-7, 6-1, 6-2.

McCartney earned a service break in the first and last games of the first set on the way to a 7-5 decision, but Kurtz broke her foe in seven of the next eight service games over the final two sets for the win.

Women’s Doubles: Then the two teens won the women’s doubles crown, 6-3, 6-4, against Danielle Vines and Ansley Speaks. Kessler also teamed with brother, McClain, for the mixed crown.

O’Keefe Wins Men’s Singles: On the men’s side, the play was high level and entertaining as No.2 seed Harrison O’Keefe (U. of South Carolina) defeated U. of Georgia grad and defending champ Nathan Pasha, 6-0, 1-6, 6-4.

“I was able to get off to a fast start in the opening set breaking him three times, but Nathan turned up his game to win the second set, while the third was back and forth,” said O’Keefe who held serve in the eighth game at 4-all in the final set and then broke Pasha for the victory.

“It was a well-played final, I had fun and absolutely, I will be back next year,” O’Keefe stated.

Lots of Tennis: McCartney Kessler played in three finals and was 21-2 in sets played over four days, losing the two in the women’s open singles final.

First Wins: McCallie tennis coach Eric Voges teamed with Gordon Williams to win the men’s 45s doubles …. First TVOC title for each as Voges has not played in the tourney in nearly a decade

Johnson and Johnson: … Richard Johnson has played in all but one TVOC tourney since the name change in 1995 (originally called TVI with the inaugural year in 1934) and captured his first championship Sunday – a men’s 65s singles crown … “I had made the finals one other year before this year and it is great to finally win,” said Johnson with a smile.

21 years Later … In 1995 and a battle of former U. of Georgia players, Philip Johnson lost to Eddie Jacques in the TVOC men’s open final after winning the TVI in 1993 and 1994 …  This year, Johnson played Gordon Williams (U. of Redlands (Calif.) grad) in the 45s singles and won.

Good Days Work: For three days of tennis several players received nice pay checks thanks to this money tournament with title sponsor Icy Hot plus Classic 150, Coca Cola and others.

Sixteen-year-old McCartney Kessler earned $1,250 with wins in women’s doubles and mixed doubles and was runner-up in women’s singles. Her brother, McClain, earned $725 with a spot in the semis in men’s singles and doubles and a mixed doubles title.

McCartney’s doubles partner Emma Kurtz earned $1,750 by winning singles and doubles.

On the men’s side, U. of South Carolina junior Harrison O’Keefe earned $3,400 with wins in singles and doubles.

Kudos: Several young players who were here for the first year plan to be back next year including O’Keefe and the Kesslers … impressive hospitality with food throughout the tourney, plus a well-organized tournament desk and staff with a quick turn around on having clay courts swept for the next match … thanks to tournament staff Ned Caswell, Richard Rogers, Thorny Strang, Mary Cook and others

Classic 150: “We have been part of the TVOC since the tournament became a money event in 1995 and glad to be a major part of this great tennis event,” said The Classic 150 president Mickey McCamish.

“We pride ourselves in supporting many sporting events in the Chattanooga area which brings visitors to our city,” said McCamish. “Participants and their friends and family members stay in our hotels, eat at our restaurants and shop in our stores which is a big plus for our economic development.”

Sunday Finals

Men’s Open Singles – No.2 Harrison O’Keefe def. No.1 Nathan Pasha, 6-0, 1-6, 6-4

Women’s Open Singles - No.1 Emma Kurtz def. McCartney Kessler, 5-7,6-1, 6-2

Men’s Open Doubles - No.3 Julian Bradley-Harrison O’Keefe def. No.1 Vkram Hundeal-Nathan Pasha, 7-6 (4), 7-6 91)

Women’s Open Doubles - McCartney Kessler-Emma Kurtz def. Danielle Vines-Ansley Speaks 6-3, 6-4

Mixed Open Doubles -  McClain Kessler- McCartney Kessler def. Lucas Plesky-Ansley Speaks, 6-1, 6-1

* Men's Singles

Men’s 35s Singles – Derrick Racine def. Jon Thorstenson, 6-4, 6-4

Men’s 45s Singles – Philip Johnson def. Gordon Williams, 6-4, 6-2

Men’s 55s Singles – No.2 John Mahorner def. Gino Bulso, 6-1, 7-6

Men’s 65s Singles – Richard Johnson def. Chuck Maland, 6-4, 5-7, 11-9

Men’s 75s Singles - Arthur Serio def. Walt Murphy, 6-3, 6-1

* Men’s Doubles

Men’s 35s Doubles – Derrick Racine-Shachin Kirtane def. Chris Kiser-Renato Mizutani, 7-6, 6-0

Men’s 45s Doubles - Eric Voges-Gordon Williams def. Robert Fisher-Jon Thorstenson, 6-2, 6-4

Men’s 55s Doubles - Stephen Crofford-Bill Davis def. Tomas Blanno-Eduardo Garibaldi, 6-4, 6-4

Men’s 65s Doubles - Round Robin

Walt Murphy-John Nixon def. Jack Scruggs-Billy Smalley, 6-1, 6-2

Louis Buquo-Robert Rahn def. Jack Scruggs-Billy Smalley, 6-0, 6-3

Louis Buquo-Robert Rahn def. Walt Murphy-John Nixon, 6-0, 6-1

Champion: Louis Buquo-Robert Rahn

 

contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net