Hinsdale Players Reach Finals of US Open National Playoffs Midwest Sectional Qualifying Tournament

Submitted by USTA/Midwest Section.

Indianapolis, IN — The US Open National Playoffs Midwest Sectional Qualifying Tournament came to a close late June 13 at the tennis courts of the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana.

The men’s final featured two college players from Hinsdale who have competed against each other since they were young boys.

Champions were crowned in all divisions: Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, and Mixed Doubles. All winners advanced to the 2016 US Open National Playoffs and a chance to play in the US Open.

The No. 1 seed and last year’s winner, Martin Joyce of Hinsdale, was victorious again in the Men's Singles division, defeating the No. 5 seed fellow Hinsdale native Eddie Grabill, 3-6; 6-2; 6-4. The two men grew up playing against each other. Joyce was excited about the win, acknowledging how challenging the match was.

“Obviously winning feels really good. This year was tougher than last year too being that he’s a really good player. We’ve played a lot in the past, and this one [match] was a good one too,” Joyce said.

Joyce returned to the tournament because he enjoys the excitement of being a part of the US Open and experiencing Chair Umpires and Line Judges, which are not part of most tournaments. “It’s just a really cool event, especially being a part of the US Open,” he said.

Although he fell to his long-time rival, Grabill was pleased with reaching the finals.

“I was really happy I was able to reach the finals. Coming here I was the 5 seed so I didn’t have much expectation of making a run in this tournament, so getting here was definitely an accomplishment,” he said.

See all results online.

The US Open Qualifying Tournament will be held Aug. 23-26, the US Open men’s and women’s doubles championships begin Aug. 30 and the US Open mixed doubles championship begins Aug. 31 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y. The 2016 US Open is scheduled to take place from Aug. 29 to Sept. 11.