KEEGAN SMITH AND MONICA ROBINSON CAPTURE SINGLES TITLES
AT USTA NATIONAL OPEN HARD COURT CHAMPIONSHIPS Smith Earns 2nd Gold USTA Ball After Winning Men’s Doubles Title 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.”
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.
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
