The Italians win again In Key Biscayne in Florida on 14-15 April
The World Champion beach tennis duo of Matteo Marighella and Alex Mingozzi (Italy) defeated former National Champs, Phil Whitesell and Chris Henderson (Charleston, SC) in the Men’s Pro division finals of the BTUSA Key Biscayne Open this weekend, 8-6. This was the fourth meeting for these rival teams, each ending with Italian victories. However, Sunday’s event was the first indication that Whitesell and Henderson are closing the gap on this overly-dominating pair..
Men’s and Women’s Pro teams from 11 countries competed at the two-day event at the site of the Sony Ericsson Open. Familiar faces included Ric Simeon and Nic Paalzow (Ft. Lauderdale, FL), Brett Johnson and Mike Edison (Clearwater, FL), Heinz Haas (New York, NY), Sjoerd DeVries and Jochem Ros (Aruba), and Nadia Johnston and Nicole Melch (Long Beach, NY)..
One team of particular note was Thomas Hipp and Jan Macko (Miami, FL), who upset top-ranked Team Rhino, 8-6. Hipp and Macko, who made their beach tennis debuts last season at the Sunshine State Slam, showed some impressive staying power this weekend, fighting back from a 0-5 deficit to win six straight games, and ultimately the match.
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In the Women’s Pro division finals, Federica Barccheita and Michela DelPasqua (Italy) defeated three-time National Champ, Nadia Johnston and her new partner, Nicole Melch, 8-6. Johnston and Melch, who dominated last month at the Clearwater Open, traded point for point with the Italians until Bacchetta and Del Pasqua widened the gap in the 13th game.
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Former tennis star, Pablo Arraya, who has recently become involved with the growth of beach tennis in South Florida, was on hand to supply play-by-play for all of Sunday’s matches.BTUSA set up shop for nearly a full two weeks at The Ericsson, hosting a series of clinics, demonstrations, open play, and Cardio Tennis programs. This marked the groups third, and by far most successful visit to The Open.
BT USA
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