Experience pays off for Spring Classic winners

By NANCY MORGAN

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 25, 2001

Winning matches isn't always just about power and skill, although they're good to have.

Sometimes, the art of winning is the result of tournament experience combined with power and skill. That proved to be true for several players last weekend at the Phil Green Tennis Academy in Safety Harbor.

St. Petersburg's Jeff Chambers, Florida's top-ranked player in the men's 35-and-over division, elected to compete in the open division of the Spring Classic at Safety Harbor Spa. Tampa's Neal Tourdo, who works and plays in St. Petersburg, competed in the men's 35 class.

The years of junior national competition, college tennis and satellite play resulted in a level of experience that benefited Chambers and Tourdo.

Chambers won the open championship, and Tourdo took the 35 title.

"I would say all the players I met in the open were probably no older than 18," Chambers said. "They all had the power, but they hadn't reached that consistent stage yet and tended to overhit."

Chambers, who possesses a powerful game, took advantage of his opponents' lack of consistency to reach the final against Palmer Academy student Joseph Capetillo. After a first-set loss, Chambers responded to win 1-6, 7-5, 6-4 in a battle of aggressive ground strokes.

Chambers, a graduate of St. Petersburg Catholic High School and an alum of the University of North Carolina where he was an All-American, played the satellite circuit in Europe for a short time after his 1987 graduation. Then there was a 10-year absence from the game while Chambers established his career as an attorney.

"I decided to play the open because I'm going in a national 35 clay court tournament in Atlanta next month," Chambers said. "I played four matches in three days and had some good competition. That's exactly what I wanted to do."

Tourdo, who grew up in New Jersey and played for Louisiana State University at New Orleans (now the University of New Orleans), was happy with his performance despite a lack of practice time.

"I really have that competitive nature and love to compete," Tourdo said. "Unfortunately, work gets in the way."

Tourdo defeated Dave Sherwood of Venice 0-6, 6-3, 7-5.

In other action involving local players, Joy Ackerman outlasted Nancy Deeb in the women's 45 division after Deeb retired with an injury before starting the third set. Despite winning the first set in the men's 45 category, Gerry Barna couldn't overcome No. 2 Wayne Osher of Sarasota, who pulled out a 5-7, 6-3, 6-1 victory.

EASTER BOWL: Area players returned from Palm Springs, Calif., last week and competition in the 34th USTA Super National Spring Championship.

Boys 16-and-under player Sukhwa Young defended his top seed in singles to win his second title in the tournament. He placed third in doubles with first-time partner Brendan Evans of Key Biscayne. Timothy Neilly bettered his No. 5 seed to capture the 14 title and paired with Marc Spicijaric to win the doubles. Alexandria Liles reached the round of 16 in the girls 18 division, losing to No. 1 Kristen Schlukebir of Michigan. In consolation action, Liles won six matches to face Schlukebir in the final. Liles won 6-2, 6-2. Goran Dragicevic reached the round of 32 in the boys 18.

MIXED AT STATE: In last weekend's USTA Florida Section Senior Mixed Doubles State Championship in Palm Coast, Westin Innisbrook Resort's 6.5 team was 1-2 overall, as was Safety Harbor Spa's 8.5 squad.

Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club netted its best record in the event with a semifinal finish in the 7.5 division.

This weekend, Bardmoor's 7.5 adult mixed team joins the Racquet Club of St. Petersburg's 8.5 squad as qualifiers to the state tournament in Palm Coast.

Playing for Bardmoor are Mickie and John Gelestor, Angela and Tom Lincicome, Tony Henrion, Laura Rustin, Mary Jane Evertz, Rhonda Thompson, John Beda and Mike Carrigan.

The Racquet Club's team comprises Sandy Martin, Linda Miller, Loida Lufkin, Jan Lagergren, Bill Young, David Jackson, Matt Fox, Angie and Gary Lucke and Pattie and Scott Johnston.

SPTC JUNIOR RESULTS: Main-draw winners ranged from Bradenton to Wesley Chapel, but only St. Petersburg's Lindsay Dvorak reached the final.

Dvorak advanced to the girls 12 division before falling to the No. 2 seed. But then Dvorak won the consolation title with a 6-1, 6-2 decision over Tampa's Jana Quinones. Dimitry Bubis took the boys 18 consolation crown, as did Kara Kucin in the girls 10 division. In other consolation finals, Carl Gavine (10), Nicholas Smith (12) and Michael Brady (14) were runners-up.

COMING UP: The Royal Adult Classic is May 5-7 at Royal Racquet Club. Call 791-8415 before May 2.

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