hillip Simmonds won the Men’s Doubles Division with a 7r Gary Kushnerovic & Keith Kessler
two defeated Taylor Fay & Diego Valdenegro 6-2, 7-5 in the finals. “In the first round, I started playing badly and my partner Simona [Weymar] always has that unique ability to perform when it matters most,” said Maslau. “She was able to pull us through after losing the first set and being match points down to win in the super tie-breaker.” Maslau met former world number 311 Blake Strode, who won the entire National Playoffs tournament back in 2010 and 2011, in the Men’s Singles Final, and beat him 6-3, 3-6, 6-2. “I knew I had my hands full, but the match was moved indoors and I knew that this would help my game,” said Maslau. “I was able to win a tough three-setter, relying on my backhand down the line and my fitness.” Maslau heads up to New Haven, Conn. in late August to compete in the U.S. Open National Playoffs in three different divisions. The U.S. Open National Open Playoffs Championships will run from Aug. 21-24 in conjunction with the Connecticut Open in New Haven, Conn. Brian Coleman is senior editor for Long Island Tennis Magazine. He may be reached by phone at (516) 4094444, ext. 326 or e-mail brianc@usptennis.com. LITennisMag.com • July/August 2015 • Long Island Tennis Magazine
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