Austin Tennis Academy News

January 4, 2010

Curry Claim's Gold Ball at USTA Winter National Championships

Each year, the USTA Winter National Championships culminate the festive holiday season while commencing the new year. Scottsdale, AZ for the 16s and 18s, and Tuscan, AZ for the 12s and 14s, hosted this years event from December 27, 2009 – January 1, 2010.

Chase Curry joined forced with Nolan Paige of Fairfield, CT to earn the boy’s 16s doubles national championship, winning six straight matches along the way.

 The duo opened play with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Madrgallejo and McDonald, followed by a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory over Jadun and Woldmoe. In the round of 16 the twosome out worked Andreasen and Wallace 6-4, 6-3. Curry and Paige’s next victims were the number 7-seeded team of Berman and Cullimore, whom they eliminated 6-2, 6-4. In the semifinals, Brown and Daigle battled them to their second three-set match, with Curry and Paige winning 6-4, 2-6, 6-1. The final round pitted them against Max Schnur and Edwin Zhang of Virginia, with Curry and Paige claiming the championship crown, 6-3, 6-1. By winning a USTA SuperNationals event, Chase earns a coveted USTA Gold Ball. These awards are gold tennis balls about the size of a dime.

"This tournament was a stepping stone towards Chase's 2010 goal, which is to play in the junior USOPEN in August," said ATA CEO Jack Newman.

In singles, Curry won his first-round match over California’s Thomas Pura 1-6, 6-4, 6-2. After dropping his next match, Curry bounced back to beat seven straight opponents in the back draw to reach the consolation semifinals. Along the way, Curry eliminated the 14 seeded Matthew Alves 6-4, 6-2, followed by the 32 seeded Rickey Alves 6-2, 7-6(3). He then sent home the 21 seeded Kristofer Yee 6-2, 6-1 to reach the consolation quarterfinals where he beat Austin Ansari 6-3, 6-2.

Hunter Goertz also earned a spot in the boy’s 16s national championships. In the first round, Goertz fell in a hard-fought match to New York’s Eric Halpem 6-2, 7-5. In the consolation, Goertz battled Roy Skinner to a third set, ultimately falling 6-2, 2-6, 6-4. He then teamed up with ATA’s Aaron Chaffee in doubles. The duo lost their opening match to Clark and Watson 7-5, 6-2.

Competing in the boy’s 18s, Blake Davis beat Nevada’s Willie Sublette 6-2, 6-2 in his first round match. Georgia’s Casey Kay then defeated Davis in a three set battle, 2-6, 7-6(5), 6-3.

In doubles, Davis and ATA teammate Jeffrey Offerdahl combined to earn three wins and a spot in the quarterfinals. In their first match they defeated Calott and Coxe 6-3, 6-0, follwed by beating Clark and Tasevac 6-4, 7-6(2). They then eliminated Frueh and McCoy 6-4, 6-2 to earn a spot in the final 8.

Offerdahl opened his singles play with a 7-5, 6-3 win over Illinois’ Brantner Jones. He then defeated California’s Shaun Chaudhuri 7-6(6), 6-2. After falling in the round of 32, Jeffrey fought for four more wins to reach the consolation quarterfinals. He defeated the 21 seeded Alex Yermanos 5-7, 6-1, 3-0, followed by the 18 seeded Dante Terenzio 6-4, 6-1. This was Jeff's best supernational result of his career. He showed tremendous progress in developing a more aggressive all court game to defeat three seeds in a row.

"Jeff has ‘won’ practice by working hard and being focused for the past 8 weeks, this result is not a surprise," said Jeff's primary coach, Jack Newman.

Also competing in the boy’s 18s, Taylor Shamshiri competed hard against the 27 seeded Ryan Cheung in a 6-4, 6-3 loss. Brian Conlon then beat Taylor 6-3, 7-5 in the back draw. He teamed up with Narayana to battle the 15 seeded doubles team of Karandikar and Mamalat in a 7-6(4), 2-6, 7-6(5) loss. While Taylor did not get any W's, he did get a lot of looks from college coaches who were at the event.

In the boy’s 12s, Jake Berber earned a first round win over New York’s Gal Sossen 2-6, 7-5, 6-3. After falling in his next match to the 17 seeded Stephen Madonia 6-3, 6-4, Jake earned his second three-set win over Edan Sossen 1-6, 6-4, 6-4. Berber, along with partner Payton Holden, beat Bertolini and Ross in the first round of doubles, 6-2, 6-3.

Abigail Chiu represented ATA in the girl’s 12s division. Abigail overcame California’s Yemisi Ayeni in the first round 6-2, 6-4, before going down in a tough three-set match in the round of 64. Abigail went on to win four straight matches in the consolation. She defeated Raquel Pedraza 6-2, 6-1, Paris Corley 6-2, 6-0, Turner Yates 6-0, 6-1 and Christina Rosca 6-3, 6-3. Along with partner Tedford, Abigail earned a first round doubles win over Rees and Sabe 6-0, 6-2.

"Both Jake and Abigail did fantastically in their first of many supernationals," said Coach Jack Newman.

ATA is proud of each of its representatives in this prestigious event. Look for these athletes to continue to succeed against their peers nationwide in national events through 2010.

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