The United States Tennis Association Crabel Capital Men’s 65 National Hard Court Championships began Monday morning at the Barnes Tennis Center in Ocean Beach.
The national tennis event, which features many of the top competitors from across the country in the 65-and-over division, will conclude on Sunday with the singles championship.
The top singles seed is Dan Waldman of Washington, D.C. The 65-year- old is currently ranked No. 12 in the International Tennis Federation Singles 60+ Rankings. He has represented the United States in ITF Senior team and individual competitions.
Toby Crabel of Beverly Hills — and founder of tournament sponsor Crabel Capital — is the No. 2 singles seed. All 16 seeded players in the 79- player main singles draw received a first-round bye and will play their second- round matches on Tuesday.
Among local entrants in the national tennis tournament are William Kellogg of La Jolla, Tony Ybarra of Ramona, Dan Molden of El Cajon and San Diegans John Flowers and Kip Hutchison.
“The tournament has an outstanding field of competitors and we are excited to see National Championship tennis return to San Diego after the long layoff due to the pandemic,” said Todd Sprague, tournament director.
Main draw singles matches will use a match format of best of three tie- break sets. The doubles draw will use round robin flights with elimination playoffs and a match format of two sets and a match tiebreak in lieu of a third set.
The championships will offer close to $10,000 in prize money. The singles champion will be awarded $2,000 and the singles finalist will receive $1,500. USTA gold, silver and bronze balls will be awarded to first, second and third place finishers in all events.
COVID 19 protocols will be in effect for all participants and guests during the event.
–City News Service
