HarDcourt SLAM

The Hardcourt Slam is the first Slam in the Series that covers the three major surfaces, hardcourt, clay and grass.

 

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​2023 hardcourt slam summary

 

The Hard Court Senior Slams Start the 2023 New England Tournament Season

 

From June 1-4, more than 118 players from 12 states came to the Guilford Racquet and Swim Club in Guilford, CT for the 2023 Hard Court Senior Slams. The event started with hot and sunny temperatures in earlier rounds and ended with cloudy and cool days as the weekend progressed. Whatever the weather, the players enjoyed great competition. A big thanks to all who played with a special shout out to Matt Fraenza, the tournament director, and the Guilford Racquet Club for hosting the event for the fifth successive year. Overall, the tournament ran smoothly, and players considered it an anchor event in the senior circuit.

 

Here is a run-down of the highlights.

 

Singles Competitions

 

In the women’s 50s singles division, with four players, Davida Dinerman of Ashland, MA outplayed last year’s champion Andrea Goetz from Guilford, CT in a finals match that saw many rallies go 8-10 shots.

 

Three players comprised the women’s 55s singles draw. Mary Byrne and Helen McSweeney had a marathon match with Byrne prevailing 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.

 

The women’s 60s singles division also had three players. Marie-Josee Packl beat Pamela Parker in straight sets in the finals.

 

In women’s 50 doubles, with two teams, Andrea Goetz and Beth Brause of Guilford defeated Lynn Siebert and Sharon Marczewski.

 

In the men’s 50s singles division, with eight players, Vladimir Makatsaria beat his doubles partner Vladi Tsipenyuk.

 

The men’s 55s singles division had 14 players. Lexington Tennis Club’s own Carlos Lopez 55s won in straight sets in the finals over Jim Burda to bring home the gold.

 

The men’s 60s singles division had 18 players. Matt Gelotte also won in two sets in the finals over Peter Appleton.

 

In The men’s 65s singles division, with 15 competitors, unseeded Darryl Brown upset the 4th seed before falling to the top seed, Paul Moss, in the semis. And third seed George Kramer grabbed a seat in the finals after his win over second seed Jeff Prudden. Kramer then played a grueling three-setter (6-7, 6-1, 7-6) against Moss to take the winner’s trophy.

 

The men’s 70s singles division had 13players and the longest match of the tournament at three hours and 35 minutes. Andrew Arnold (3) outlasted Steven Brill (1) to take the title 7-5, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (10).

 

In the men’s 75s singles division with nine players, Richard Klaffky needed two sets to beat Gary Chafetz in the finals.

 

There were seven competitors in the 80s draw this year. In the quarterfinals, Griffin Hill took the second seed Robert McAfee and then made it to the finals before withdrawing due to injury against Henry Steinglass.

 

Two inspiring gentlemen competed in the men’s 85s this year. Top seed Roy Anderson prevailed over Ernie True 6-2, 7-6 (4). Roy is a consistent gentleman on and off court and has some great tennis stories of growing up as a player in CT.

 

Doubles Competitions

 

The Men’s 50s doubles division had four teams with Vladimir Makatsaria and Vladi Tsipenyuk edging out Jay Harris and Ritush Venugopal in an exciting three-set match, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.

 

Three teams participated in a round robin for the men’s 55 doubles draw. James Burda and Eric Nixon went 2-0.

 

In the men’s 60 doubles draw of six teams, we witnessed a remarkably emotional finals as Harlan Stone and Jonathan Kamisar, defending hardcourt champions, were down 3-6, 2-5 to Carl Norbeck and Scott Snow and came roaring back to win 3-6, 7-5, 6-4,  When Jonathan, usually a subdued, let out a loud cry for his team when they starting making a comeback, the crowd knew their team was engaged and focused!

 

In the men’s 70s doubles division, three teams competed in a round robin with Paul Shaw and Jon Wilson going 2-0.

 

Two teams duked it out in the men’s 80s doubles event with Robert McAfee and Edward Underwood going the distance against Raymond Brodeur and Charles Niemeth in a marathon match that ended with a score of 6-4, 6-7, 6-2 in McAfee and Brodeur’s favor.

 

And it is always wonderful and remarkable to report on results from our super senior age division. In the men’s 85s doubles draw, Ernest True and Malcolm Swanson defeated Roy Anderson and Peter Reiss.

 

CLAY SLAM     GRASS SLAM