By SDCN Editor
La Jolla, CA–Forty-two-year-old Daniel Plasa of Atlanta made his debut at the USTA National 40 Hard Court Championships a memorable one as he overcame a slow start to stun top-seeded Henry Choi of Vancouver, Canada, 7-5, 6-3 in one hour and 34 minutes to win the men’s singles title.
Playing under mostly sunny skies on Court 2 at the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club, Choi, who won the men’s singles title in 2022 and reached last year’s final, used two service breaks to take an early 3-0 lead in the first set.
The second-seeded Plasa, of Germany, cut down his unforced errors and slowly began to find his rhythm to get back on serve. With Choi leading 5-4, Plasa took control, losing only 4 points in sweeping the next three games to win the opening set.
After exchanging service breaks to open the second set, Plasa and Choi were even at 3-3, but the momentum shifted as Plasa dropped only three points to win the final three games and wrap up the championship.
“It means everything. Winning this one (title) as a 42-year-old is another achievement I can be proud of. I couldn’t be happier flying back to Atlanta today. I’m already looking forward to coming back next year,” Plasa said after receiving his USTA gold ball for winning the national title.
“I had a little rocky start. I made a lot of mistakes. I was a little nervous but calmed down and found my groove. I was trying to hold serve and calm my nerves and stay within the game. I knew I could break him (Choi) with my returns. I just stayed patient,” said Plasa, who played collegiate tennis for Auburn University at Montgomery in the early 2000s.
In the men’s singles third-place match, third-seeded Ryan Sablan of Walnut Creek, CA eased past fifth-seeded Anant Sitaram of San Ramon, CA 6-1, 6-2 in 69 minutes to win the USTA bronze ball.
Top-seeded Brian Morton of Newport Coast, CA, and Cameron Ball of Corona Del Mar, CA combined for a 6-4, 6-1 victory over fifth-seeded Brett Masi of Long Beach, CA, and San Diego’s Ryan Keckley to win the men’s doubles championship.
The USTA National 40 Hard Court Championships are part of the International Tennis Federation World Tennis Masters Tour. Formerly known as the ITF Seniors Tour, the recently rebranded Masters Tour includes individual and team singles, doubles, and mixed doubles events across various grade levels for each five-year age increment from 30 to 90 Plus. Approximately 27,500 players aged 30 to 90 worldwide compete in Masters Tour events each year.
USTA National 40 Hard Court Championships Sunday’s results:
Men’s Singles Championship – Daniel Plasa (2), Atlanta, def. Henry Choi (1), Vancouver, Canada, 7-5, 6-3.
Third Place – Ryan Sablan (3), Walnut Creek, Calif., def. Anant Sitaram (5), San Ramon, Calif., 6-1, 6-2.
Men’s Doubles Championship – Brian Morton (1), Newport Coast, CA and Cameron Ball, Corona Del Mar, CA def Brett Masi (5), Long Beach and Ryan Keckley, San Diego, 6-4, 6-1
Third Place – Henry Choi (2), Vancouver, Canada, and Nik Yip, Denver, def. Brian Murphy, Mercer Island, WA, def. Rob Condiotty, Newcastle, WA, 7-5, 7-6 (6).
Mixed Doubles Championship – Simon Shen, La Jolla, and Millie Yablonicky, Encinitas, def. Nik Yip (1), Denver and Anita Miner, Lone Tree, CO, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.
