St. Petersburg's Winkler has hand in Potter Cup win
By NANCY MORGAN
Published June 9, 2004
A match from elimination, the USA men's 45-and-over team did what no other American squad had done in 10 years - win the international Potter Cup.
Led by playing captain Jeff Winkler of St. Petersburg, the team of seven rallied in the nine-country competition to upset top-seeded Spain 4-3 in the final.
"It was a thrilling victory for us," said Winkler, 47. "Although we were the No. 3 seed, we were definitely the underdog. The returning champions, Spain, were heavily favored. Our players played fabulously and showed heart and grit to turn it around."
Competing in a format that included five singles and two doubles per team match, the USA first met Great Britain in a quarterfinal and dominated 5-1. St. Petersburg's Jeff Davis won in No. 2 singles in straight sets, and Winkler teamed with former Duke All-American Mark Meyers to take No. 1 doubles 7-5, 7-6 (3). Buoyed by the victory over Great Britain, which included players with national championships and from national teams, USA eliminated Italy with five singles wins. Davis won in straight sets at No. 2.
"That was a sweet win for us because Italy eliminated us last year in a semifinal," Winkler said. "To sweep them in singles, although all close matches, was a good boost for us."
Spain beat Germany 4-1 in the other semifinal. Barcelona has played host to the Potter Cup the past 26 times in the 32-year-old International Club event. Staged at Royal Polo Club, Spain went up 3-0 on the American squad in the final, winning No. 3 and No. 5 singles in three sets and No. 4 in two.
"They had us on the ropes when Jeff lost a tough three-setter in No. 2 and we were down 3-1," Winkler said. "Then our No. 1 player, Eagan Adams, dug out a three-set match to bring us to 3-2. Still, we were but a few points from elimination."
The USA doubles responded with two straight-set wins that produced the championship. "We showed that the Americans were better doubles players, even though they came on with fresh players," Winkler said. "In both doubles, we were up 5-2 in the first set and won it and followed up in the second set by jumping to a lead and holding. The level of play was world-class, but we're a strong, solid group of clay courters. And in team events like this, it always seems to come down to doubles."
Davis, who was invited to play in the individual World Cup Championships in Turkey and the Dubler Cup team event, elected instead to join the Potter Cup squad.
"Jeff did a terrific job in selecting the team," Davis said. "I know some of the players that had played before in the Potter Cup were a little frustrated at coming so close in times past but not winning. Playing in a team event like this is different from individual competition where you play for yourself. The opportunity to compete on the team, have the interaction and bonding with the other members of the team and develop the belief in our ability to win as a team is exceptional."
SENIORS: Local teams fell short last weekend in the USA Tennis Florida State Senior Doubles Championships in Daytona Beach. The area's best finish was McMullen's 4.5 men's team that placed second among seven squads. McMullen's only loss was to the eventual champion from Orlando. Seminole Lake Tennis Center's 4.0 men won their flight 3-0 to reach the semifinals against Orange Park. Seminole fell 2-1. St. Petersburg Tennis Center's 4.0 women defeated Winter Haven, Vero Beach and Debray with 2-1 scores. A 2-1 loss to Jacksonville placed SPTC third in its flight. Champions, who advance to the national tournament, included Orange Park (men's 4.0), Orlando (men's 4.5), Hunter's Green (women's 4.0) and Winter Park (women's 4.5).
ADULT PLAYOFFS: In the 3.5 men's first round, the Racquet Club beat Treasure Bay 3-2 and East Lake won 3-2 over Royal Racquet Club. The Racquet Club win came on the play of Peter Gairing in No. 2 singles , Robert Steele and Don Campagna in No. 2 doubles and Neel Voss and Ray Cianci. Saturday, East Lake plays host to Treasure Bay at 12:30 p.m. and Royal Racquet Club travels to the Racquet Club for an 11 a.m. match. In the 3.0 women's two-match playoff, Countryside Country Club defeated Renaissance Vinoy 5-0 on Saturday and 4-1 on Sunday to claim the district championship.
NET SHOTS: Second-seeded Joel Samaha played through the boys 14-and-under singles competition to win last month's state designated tournament. Istvan Bolgar placed fourth in the 16 division, and Emily Dvorak was a girls 12 consolation finalist.
Molly Smith defended her top seed to win the girls 12-and-under singles title in the Phil Green Tennis Academy Summer Classic in Safety Harbor. Anastasiya Sokolova won in the 18 class. Second-seeded Nick Gallauer took the boys 16 crown, third-seeded Julia Claire Jones won girls 14, and unseeded Nicholas Lafleche topped the boys 12. Among the consolation winners were Agatha Ambrozy (girls 12) and Matt Herrock (boys 14).
Combo League action has begun for 26 men's and women's teams, including 240 players. Additional 4.0 and 4.5 women are invited to join. Call 526-7966.
THIS WEEKEND: The Florida State Closed Mixed Doubles Championships begin Saturday at Royal Racquet Club in Clearwater. Age divisions include open, 35-and-over, 45 and 55. Call 799-3200 to enter. ... The SPTC Junior Open is Saturday-Monday at St. Petersburg Tennis Center. Singles with consolations are planned for boys and girls 18-and-under. Call 360-2643.
