Courtney Dolehide, one of the top collegiate recruits in the nation, and Tony Larson, a Minnesota teaching professional, won the women’s and men’s titles at the US Open National Playoffs Northern Sectional Qualifying Tournament.
Dolehide, 18, of Hinsdale, Ill., fended off fellow USTA Pro Circuit player Katie Ruckert, 27, of Madison, Va., 7-6(2), 6-7(9), 6-1, in the semifinals and then took out Nyla Beenk of Le Claire, Iowa, 6-1, 6-3, in the final. At 13, Beenk was one of the youngest of the 1,232 participants in this year’s inaugural US Open National Playoffs. Dolehide, who is currently ranked No. 453 in the world, has committed to play for UCLA in the fall. Earlier this year, she was featured on ESPNRise.com, an ESPN website celebrating high school athletics.
Larson, 26, of Fridley, Minn., did not drop a set in five matches, defeating Keith Whittingham, of Erie, Pa., 6-2, 6-3, in the final. Larson was the Minnesota Class A state singles champion in high school and starred at Division II St. Cloud State University, posting a 48-3 record at No. 1 singles. He was ranked No. 1 in the Northern Section Men’s Open Division in 2004, 2006 and 2007, and has won three USTA-sanctioned events in the past year. He currently works as a teaching professional at Public Indoor Tennis in Spring Lake Park, Minn.
Dolehide now advances to the US Open National Playoffs – Women’s Championships at the Taube Family Tennis Stadium at Stanford University in Stanford, Calif., July 28-August 1, during the Bank of the West Classic, the first Olympus US Open Series women’s event. Larson, meanwhile, advances to the US Open National Playoffs – Men’s Championships at the Atlanta Athletic Club in Atlanta, July 22-25, during the Atlanta Tennis Championships, the first event of the 2010 Olympus US Open Series.
The men’s and women’s winners of the US Open National Playoffs – Men’s and Women’s Championships earn a wild card into the 2010 US Open Qualifying Tournament, August 24-27.