Sunday’s Summary & Results — USTA National 40 Hard Court Championships — La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club
TONY BUJAN AND DINA MCBRIDE CROWNED USTA NATIONAL 40
HARD COURT SINGLES CHAMPIONS AT LA JOLLA BEACH & TENNIS CLUB
Bujan Defends Men’s Title With 6-2, 6-4 Victory Over Top-Seeded Oren Motevassel
Two players in their forties, who still love the thrill of competing on a tennis court, won singles titles at the USTA National 40 Hard Court Championships on a bright, sunny day at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club.
In the men’s championship, second-seeded Tony Bujan of Tustin, Calif., successfully defended his singles title by defeating top-seeded Oren Motevassel of San Jose, Calif., 6-2, 6-4 in one-hour and 35 minutes.
Bujan, a 44-year-old Orange County-based teaching professional, won the first set in 65 minutes and broke the 47-year-old Motevassel, a former two-time tournament champion, in the opening game of the second set. Bujan went on to win the match as he easily held each of his second-set service games with the loss of only four points.
“It just feels great to play well. I love playing and I love competing. Tennis has done so much for me,” Bujan said. “He (Motevassel) doesn’t overpower you, but he doesn’t miss. He’s crafty with his backhand. I just tried to stay aggressive and dictate and keep him off-balance.”
Earlier in the day, third-seeded Dina McBride of Stevenson Ranch, Calif., captured the women’s singles championship with an impressive, 6-4, 6-2 victory over top-seeded Jennifer Dawson of Carlsbad, Calif., in one-hour and 25 minutes.
Playing on Court No. 1, the 43-year-old McBride, a teaching professional in Valencia, Calif., took the opening set over Dawson in 30 minutes and would go on to build a commanding 5-0 lead in the second set on her way to winning the title.
In 2011, McBride lost the singles final to Dawson when she had to retire due to a leg injury in the first set. She came back to win the championship in 2012 with a victory over former touring professional Ros Nideffer in the final. This year, McBride overcame an injury early in the tournament.
“I won it on just faith and believing. Coming in I felt great, but I got injured in the first round and didn’t think I was going to be able to pull through. I just took it one match at a time,” said McBride, who became emotional as she spoke about winning the title this year.
“Every year, you never know how you’re going to feel. I had to seize the moment because these opportunities don’t come around too often. I love tennis. I love the game and I love competing it’s just fun,” McBride added.
Bujan and McBride were awarded USTA gold balls for winning national titles.
For complete final tournament scores, results and draws for each division, go to:
http://tennislink.usta.com/Tournaments/TournamentHome/Tournament.aspx?T=138250
Recently designated one of the Top 100 Tennis Resorts in the world by Tennis Resorts Online, the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club’s reputation as a top tennis destination started in 1942 when it attracted its first major tournament, the Pacific Coast Men’s Doubles Championship. The Club will be hosting the 126th edition of The Pacific Coast Mens’ Doubles Championships in March 2015, and the USTA National Hard Court Championships for Womens’ 50-90 age groups in May 2015.
In honor of the USTA National Hard Court Championship, the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club and its sister property, the La Jolla Shores Hotel, will be offering special room rates to the general public starting at $209 per night*. To make reservations or for more information, please call 877.346.8842.
About the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, Inc. – The La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club is a fourth-generation, family-owned and operated company dedicated to the operation of a 14-acre beachside resort. The resort includes three properties, including the exclusive La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, the 128-room La Jolla Shores Hotel and The Marine Room restaurant. Resort amenities include 14 championship tennis courts, a nine-hole par-3 golf course, two swimming pools, two additional oceanfront restaurants and cocktail lounges, and one of Southern California’s only private beaches. For more information visit www.LJBTC.com. This is for you FRED SIDHU.
Topics: La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, Tennis, USTA National 40 Hard Court
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