Four Pairs Victorious at NTRP Doubles National Championships

The USTA NTRP Doubles National Championships were held across the county with top competitors coming together to compete for the national honors.

Florida had several teams competing and four came out victorious while three left the weekend as runner-ups.

Alain Gutierrez and Michael Palacios

In the 18 & Over divisions, Florida had two sets of champions. Alain Gutierrez and Michael Palacios from Miami were a force to be reckoned with in the 4.0 draw. They rolled through their first four matches, without dropping a single set. In the finals, the duo lost the opening set, but stormed back to win the final two and claim the title. Hailing from Orlando, Jill Beachy and Julie Fontaine, in the women’s 4.0 were amazing all weekend long. They were flawless in route to their championship and didn’t drop a set in their five matches.

Jill Beachy and Julie Fontaine

For the 40 & Over draw, Florida competition shined, especially in the Men’s 4.0. Here, it was an all-Florida final as Jose Mejia and Eli Panell took on Greg Donahue and Taylor Williams. It was an intense match with lots of back-and-forth tennis. In the end, it came down to a final third set, where Jose and Eli were able to take the win. USTA Florida also had two finalists coming in the Women’s 3.5, Sally Farkas and Elizabeth Dickerson and in the Women’s 4.0, Regan Chatel and Tanya Mikel.

Jose Mejia and Eli Panell

Finally, in the 55 & Over, the Pompano Beach duo of Huey Song and Joan McKee repped Florida well, griding out an insane Women’s 3.0 draw. They swept their pool play matches, but their playoff matchups were intense. In the semifinals, they needed all three sets, including a tiebreaker to open the match to win. In the finals, both sets went to an extended tiebreaker, but the Florida duo won both, taking it 8-6 and 9-7 to win the National Championship.

Huey Song and Joan McKee

In the Women’s 4.0 Women’s, Florida’s Kathleen Bourret and Cynthia Dinenna also reached the finals of the NTRP Doubles National Championship, but were unable to finish the event due to inclement weather.

Florida had a great showing at the NTRP Doubles National Championship, keeping up with the winners from the Singles Championship! Check out our winners and finalists from the weekend.