Port Orange’s Smith Wins; Florida Finalists at PTR Wheelchair Tennis Chps.

Port Orange’s Auburn Smith (photo: Beverly Gaddy)

Two Florida players reached three main draw finals, including Port Orange’s Auburn Smith claiming a title, at the 2016 Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) Wheelchair Tennis Championships, held Sept. 29-Oct. 2 in Hilton Head Island, S.C.

“We had great tennis weather, and finished just 48 hours before the mandatory evacuation [for Hurricane Matthew],” said PTR Director of Communications Peggy Edwards.

Smith won the Women’s A singles title, in the final defeating Georgia’s Stacey Rice 7-5, 6-7(6), 1-0(4).

Other Floridians reaching main draw finals were Boca Raton’s Nick Williams falling in the Men’s C singles final to Tennessee’s Tommy Gates, and Williams and Delray Beach’s Jerome Postal losing in the Men’s C doubles final to Gates and Michael Rankine of Georgia.

In consolation play Boca Raton’s John Becker lost to Kansas’ Casey Ratzlaff in the Men’s Open consolation final, and Deland’s Veronica Grove was defeated by New York’s Kristy Vaughn in Women’s A singles consolation final.

The event also featured Up/Down Pro Exhibitions, where Hilton Head Island pros played doubles with wheelchair players, and a Run/Roll Round Robin where local players partnered with wheelchair athletes.

The PTR Wheelchair Tennis Championships is part of Uniqlo Wheelchair Tennis Tour, and one of the ITF’s seven Grade A Junior Tournaments across the globe.

For more PTR info to go www.ptrtennis.org.