High Desert Tennis AssociationHigh Desert Tennis Association

Zack Fleishman wins $10,000 Open Tennis Championship

Playa del Rey resident Zack Fleishman, once ranked as high as 203 by the ATP, won the men’s open singles title in the 17th Annual DCB/CVC Kory Rudow Memorial $10,000 Open Tennis Championships, held at Spring Valley Lake Country Club. A right-hander, Fleishman defeated left-handed Australian Sam Fletcher of local Azusa Pacific University. With some big names in the tournament, Zack came through the draw by beating David Goodman 6-2, 6-4 in the round of 32, Alex Menichini 6-2, 6-3 in the round of 16, Kyle Spencer 6-2, 3-1 (Ret.), and Alex Borvanov 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the semi-finals.

Zack arrived at the tournament at the last minute after flying into LAX from Mexico, jumping into a car, and driving to Victorville. With the win, Zack Fleishman won $2,200 — the highest-ever prize money in the high desert — while finalist Sam Fletcher won $1,100.00. Fletcher advanced to the final after beating Nathan Overholser of Florida in a tight three-set match, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. Each semifinalist received $500.00 for his effort.

Alex Reichel, Ken Kuperstein, and Kyle Spencer each collected $200.00 for reaching the quarterfinals. UNLV’s #1 Joel Kielwobicz turned down the money because he is still playing college tennis.

Fleishman said, “This was a very fun tournament where I played very well. The organization of the tournament was tremendous with the complimentary rooms, players party at Kinari’s restaurant, BBQ at Spring Valley Lake Country Club, and the friendly crowd. Tournament director Hassan Humayun did a great job of organizing all of this.” Ken Kuperstein said, “This is the toughest draw I have ever seen at this tournament. I had to go three sets just to make the quarterfinals! The quality of players was very deep, where everyone from the first round was good.” Some upsets included Alex Reichel who lost in the quarterfinals. Alex had qualified for the main draw at the Sybase Open. Also Eric Basica was upset early with a 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-7 (5) loss to Witold Cudny.

Tournament director Hassan Humayun said, “This was the biggest prize money tournament ever in the high desert, with 26 pros participating, and a total of 145 entries overall. We had to use both the country club tennis courts and all six of the Victor Valley College courts to put on all the matches.” The sponsorship has doubled this year with the support of local businesses in the community.

This tournament was also a charity event which raised monies for two charities. Proceeds from the tournament will go to the Kory Rudow and Citizens Volunteer Corps scholarship funds. The Rudow family offers scholarships in Kory Rudow’s name to college-bound high school athletes. Citizens Volunteer Corps is a Victorville-based nonprofit organization that offers scholarships to Victor Valley students attending CSU San Bernardino.

Results

Men’s Open Singles Final - Zack Fleishman defeated Sam Fletcher 6-4, 6-4.

Men’s Open Doubles Final - Sam Fletcher/Adam Davidson defeated Nathan Overholser/Zack Fleishman 9-8 (5)

Men’s A Singles Final - Gil Duran defeated Justin Harper, 6-3, 6-4.

Men’s A Doubles Final - Justin Harper/Kory Moderhak defeated Nathan and Mark Goodman, 6-2, 6-4.

Men’s B Singles Final - Claude Allemand defeated Mario Garcia 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (3).

Men’s B Doubles Final - Bransky/Dhillon defeated Allemand/Curwen. 6-4, ret.

Men’s C Singles Final - Chris McCray defeated Chris Hobbs 6-1, 6-1.

Men’s C Doubles Final - John Hartig/Andy Henderson defeated Dan Lapka/Bill Fehrs

Women’s A Singles Final - Anna Olin defeated Katrina Mitchell 6-1, 6-0.

Women’s A Doubles Final - Anna Olin and Mellisa Lanceta defeated Anne McCarty/Marties Killion 7-5, 7-5.

Women’s B Singles Final - Erin Scott defeated Kara Albright 6-2,2-6,6-2.

Women’s B Doubles Final - Kim/Kara Albright defeated Debbie Modica/Valerie Crismali 4-6, 7-5, 7-5.

Women’s C Singles Final - Rosey Reveron defeated Veronica Garcia 6-2, 6-2

Mixed Doubles Open Final - Hassan Humayun/Amanda Graham defeated R. Tomberlin and J. Cooke.

Mixed A Doubles Final - Harp/Alderman defeated P. Jenkins/K. Jenkins 7-5, 6-4.

Mixed C Doubles Final - T. Graham/Brittany Graham defeated T. Lockwood/Andrew Henderson 6-3, 6-7 (2), 6-4.

Boy’s A Junior Final - Alexander Gehchan defeated Tim Squire 8-5.

Girl’s A Junior Final - Hannah Brown defeated Brittany Graham 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (8)

Girl’s B Junior Final - Corinna Ramos defeated Mala Karnani 8-7 (5)

(Boy’s B Juniors and Mixed Doubles B finals to be played this weekend.)