Michael Russell Comes Back From 0-5 3rd Set To Nab @CVilleTennis Crown
It was a thrilling three set finish to an exciting week of tennis at the Boar’s Head Sports Club in Charlottesville as Peter Polansky and Michael Russell took it to the third breaker. Russell came back from down 0-5 in the 3rd set to force a tiebreak which he won at 5 for a 7-5, 2-6, 7-6(5) victory.
Before surviving Polansky in the final, Russell took out J.P. Smith and Tennys Sandgren in straights, Jarmere Jenkins in three and Jesse Levine in retirement.
Polansky beat Noah Rubin and Rajeev Ram in straights and Donald Young and Rhyne Williams in three to reach the final. With the points, Polansky will reach a career high ranking tomorrow.
Singles Top Seed Tim Smyczek, who was upset in the first round, was able to take home a piece of hardware anyway. He and Steve Johnson conquered the doubles title with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Donald Young and Jarmere Jenkins.
I’d like to dub today’s exciting final ‘Manilla’s Thriller’.
Tournament Director Ron Manilla always runs a fantastic tournament, and as he always says, “See you next year!”
—Steve Fogleman, Tennis East Coast
Tennis Atlantic 