Sports

Defending Men's Champion Oren Motevassel Wins Opening Match at USTA Tourney at LJBTC

Top women's seeds Dina McBride and Ros Nideffer will play Tuesday morning at La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club.

Editor's Note: The following results were released by the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club.

Defending champion and No. 1 seeded Oren Motevassel of Rancho Mirage began his men’s singles title defense at the USTA National 40 Hard Court Championships on a successful note, as he defeated Kevin Quinn of Downey, Calif., 6-0, 6-1.

On a cool, partly cloudy day at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, Motevassel, who received a first-round bye, used a strong baseline game to overpower Quinn in one-hour and 15 minutes in their second round match.

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After winning last year’s USTA National 40 Hard Court Championships, Motevassel made in known that he enjoys playing at the LJB&TC. “It’s a good feeling. I wait for this tournament all year. It’s the nicest tournament because it has a special environment,” he said. “It’s a good club, good weather, so all together, it makes a great tournament.”

 

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Motevassel played for 15 years on the men’s professional tennis and was once ranked as high at 161 in the world before retiring in 2001. Coming into the tournament this week, Motevassel says he is ready for the challenge of defending his title this week. “I’m feeling actually really good. I’m feeling on top of my game,” he said. “I played a lot this year, so I’m in shape and I’m looking forward (to it).”

Jeff Tarango, a former touring tennis professional who was seeded second in the men’s singles draw, withdrew from his scheduled singles match on Monday afternoon. Tarango, a resident of Manhattan Beach, is entered in the Mixed Doubles and Father and Son Doubles events.

In women’s tournament action scheduled for Tuesday, top-seeded Dina McBride of Woodland Hills, Calif., plays her opening round match at 9:30 a.m. (PST).  Second-seeded Ros Nideffer of Rancho Bernardo will play her first match at 10:30 a.m. (PST). McBride and Nideffer received first-round byes.

In addition to men’s and women’s singles, the National 40 Hard Court doubles and mixed doubles events are scheduled.  Also on the agenda is the USTA National Father and Son and Grandfather and Grandson Hard Court Doubles Championships beginning Friday, November 30, with matches concluding Sunday, December 2.

For complete tournament draws, please visit this link.


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