San Diego, Calif. – (June 9, 2013) – It was a day to remember for 22-year-old Clarke Spinosa of Claremont, Calif. and 17-year-old Megan McCray of Oceanside, Calif., as they both captured singles titles at the USTA National Open Hard Court Championships.On a cool, mostly cloudy morning at the Balboa Tennis Club, the top-seeded Spinosa, who plays for the University of San Diego, successfully defended the singles title he won a year ago, as he defeated ninth-seeded Tim Kpulun of Newport Beach, 4-1, ret. in the men’s singles final.

The 28-year-old Kpulun, ranked 1418 in the ATP World Tour rankings, aggravated a lower back injury and was forced to retire in the first set. A citizen of Sierra Leone, Kpulun competes on the USTA Pro Circuit and the International Men’s Tennis Circuit.

“It feels great. Anytime you win a gold ball it’s special, especially at this tournament,” Spinosa said.  “There are always a lot of fans and the competition is great. Overall it’s just a fantastic tournament.”

In the women’s singles championship, the top-seeded McCray overcame a difficult first set and defeated third-seeded Kelly Shaffer of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., 6-4, 6-1, to win the title.

The third time was the charm for McCray as she finished in third place two years ago, earning a USTA bronze ball. Last year she won the USTA silver ball as the runner-up. This year, she finally took home the title and the gold ball.

“I’m so happy to finally win first place this year after getting second and third the previous years,” McCray said following her straight-set victory. “It feels really good. It’s the biggest tournament of the year in San Diego.”

A total of 161 players participated in the 2013 USTA National Open Hard Court Championships at the Balboa Tennis Club. The men’s singles main draw featured a total of 99 players.

“It was a great week of tennis at the 2013 USTA National Open Hard Court Championships. This tournament has really become a community event thanks to the support of our sponsors and the fans that came out to watch the matches each day,” said Tournament Director Colleen Clery Ferrell. “The players love the tournament atmosphere and enjoy playing at a historic venue like the Balboa Tennis Club. We’re already looking forward to next year’s event.”

For complete tournament draws and results, go to: http://tennislink.usta.com/Tournaments/TournamentHome/Tournament.aspx?T=125688

Former tournament champions include ATP touring professional Jack Sock and University of Southern California players Zoe Scandalis and Gabriella DeSimone, as well as former WTA touring professionals Gretchen Magers, Rosalyn Nideffer and Allison Bradshaw.

The USTA National Open Hard Court Championships, which was voted, “2011 Tournament of the Year” by the San Diego District Tennis Association, is sponsored by California American Water, Babycakes, Cameo Paper and Janitorial Supply, Graphic Interfaces, Green Builder Kitchen & Bath, Kashi, Lloyd Pest Control , Minutemen Press, San Diego Tennis District Association, Wells Fargo and Wilson.  

About The Balboa Tennis Club 

In addition to the USTA National Open Hard Court Championships, the Balboa Tennis Club is the site for many prestigious tournaments throughout the year, such as the Maureen Connolly Balboa Open, the San Diego District Championships, the San Diego Metropolitan Tournament. The club, which is also the home of the San Diego Tennis Hall of Fame, boasts over 1,400 members, and is visited by approximately 6,000 day pass visitors each year. As a nonprofit organization, Balboa Tennis Club is dedicated to offering the finest facilities at an affordable price to help foster and develop the great game of tennis in San Diego.

The history of the Balboa Tennis Club dates back to 1922 when a small group of tennis enthusiasts raised $5,000 among themselves, and with the cooperation from the City Recreation Department, constructed six tennis courts adjacent to the present War Memorial Building.

On April 24, 1924, the San Diego Tennis Association received a lease to operate the courts for the public. The following year, a small clubhouse with locker rooms was built, but it was not until June 1939 that Articles of Incorporation were drawn up, and the Balboa Tennis Club actually was formed as a public, nonprofit corporation to foster and develop the game of tennis in San Diego….and to encourage competitive play with other clubs of this and other communities.

The club flourished many years at its original location and aided many young players in developing their games. In June 1966, the club moved to its present location and in July, 1983, assumed all the operational responsibilities of the Morley Field Tennis Complex. In 1989 Balboa Tennis Club was rated as America’s Best Public Tennis Facility by the USTA. In 2000, the San Diego District Tennis Association named BTC as Club of the Year. In 2003, it received the Outstanding Tennis Facility award from the USTA for large facilities in the United States.

USTA National Open Hard Court Championships

Balboa Tennis Club

San Diego, Calif.

Surface: Hard

Sunday’s Results

Men’s Singles

Championship

Clarke Spinosa (1), Claremont, Calif., def.  Tim Kpulun (9), Newport Beach, Calif., 4-1, ret.

Women’s Singles

Championship

Megan McCray (1), Oceanside, def. Kelly Shaffer (3), Rancho Santa Fe, 6-4, 6-1

Men’s Doubles

Championship

Nicholas Ballou, Orinda, Calif., and Matt Seeberger (5), Redwood City, Calif., def. Hunter Johnson and Yates Johnson, New Braunfels, Texas, 1-6, 7-6, 6-4

Women’s Doubles

Championship

Gretchen Magers, San Diego, and Caroline Vis (1), Carlsbad, def.  Hailey Johnson, Bonsall, and Monica Robinson, Valley Center, 6-1, 6-3

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