PTC Boys Sweep Singles Titles

Since Steve Bellamy founded the Palisades Tennis Center in 1997 it has evolved into one of the elite junior training facilities in the country. That reputation was put to the test last week when the PTC hosted a USTA Junior Open tournament and by the time it was over local players left little doubt that the moniker is well-deserved. PTC boys swept all five singles championships and added three doubles titles in an event that attracted 200 juniors from across the nation, including players from Texas, Arizona, Nevada, Florida, Virginia and New York. “The Pacific Palisades has become the best tennis community in America,” ATP Tour player Vince Spadea said at the inaugural “Shotgun 21” event, held two weekends ago at the PTC. “If we could make every park in America like the Palisades Tennis Center, tennis would be bigger than the NFL.” Living up to Spadea’s claim, local players stole the show on their home courts. In fact, all four semifinalists in the boys 16s and 18s singles divisions were from the PTC. The biggest winner was Robbie Bellamy, who captured three titles. He dropped a mere six games in his first four rounds, then rallied to beat Victor Vu of Las Vegas, 4-6, 6-4, 10-8 in the final of the boys 14s. Bellamy then teamed with Alex Giannini and the two 13-year-olds won both the 14s and 16s doubles divisions. The 16s title was particularly impressive in that the Palisades duo knocked off one of Southern California’s best 16-year-olds, Burbank’s Trevor Campbell, and his partner Paxton Samammitr of Panorama City, 6-2, 6-3 in the finals. Lucas Bellamy, fresh off victories in his previous two tournaments, continued his hot streak by winning all eight of his sets in the 10s singles division, then paired with Diego Nava of Valencia to reach the doubles final, won by Palisadians Gilbert Chung and Ben Goldberg. Rising PTC star Brandon Michaels dominated the 12s singles, breezing through the draw without dropping a set. With spectators packing the hillside to watch, Michaels beat Michael Genender of Los Angeles, 7-5, 6-4, in the final. Palisasdians Ryan Wilson and Thomas Ryan also made the semifinals. Although the boys 16s draw included only six Palisadians, the final four consisted entirely of PTC players, with Cristobal Rivera beating Giannini in straight sets in the finals. In the boys 18s final, Danny Moss ousted fellow PTC trainee and Crossroads High standout Clay Thompson in a third-set tiebreaker. Moss is headed for Pepperdine next year on a full scholarship. Palisadian Grace Danco won the girls 10s title, beating PTC players Bridget Stokdyk and Sophie Bendetti before edging Diana Silvers in a third-set tiebreaker. Top-seeded Krystal Hansard reached the finals of the girls 16s and fellow Palisadian Samantha Kogan, the No. 2 seed, reached the semifinals. “The players from our program totally dominated this event,” PTC Head Pro Jon Neeter said. “I think it speaks to how strong the players are who train here everyday.” The previous week, the PTC hosted USTA-sanctioned novice and junior satellite tournaments. Lucas Bellamy won the boys 12s satellite, Elizabeth Ryan upset fellow PTC player Perri Zaret in the girls 14s final and Corpus Christi student Christian Gambale won the boys 10s satellite. PTC player Charlie Hollingsworth won the boys 12s novice division.