Hall Makes It Clean Sweep at U.S. Open

David Hall gave Australia a clean sweep in singles at the U.S. Open Wheelchair Tennis Championships, claiming his second title in three years Sunday at the Racquet Club of Irvine.

Third-seeded Hall defeated Germany’s Kai Schraymayer, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, in the men’s open division to claim Australia’s second Open title. Countrywoman Daniela DiToro won the women’s title Saturday.

Hall, 27, who won the title in 1995, and captured the doubles title in 1996, took three tough sets to beat sixth-seeded Schraymayer, an opponent he had never beaten.

“I knew he was going to come back strong,” said Hall, a former Costa Mesa resident. “His forehand return is the strongest I’ve played against.”

Schraymayer, 29, who was ranked No. 1 in the world in 1993 and ‘94, took a two-year hiatus from tennis to attend law school, but the layoff was not noticeable after he upset top-seeded Ricky Molier of the Netherlands in the semifinals.

Against Hall, Schraymayer struggled in the first set, but rallied back in the second, blasting forehand after forehand out of Hall’s reach, to tie the sets at one apiece.

The third set and the match came down to a battle of wills and a little luck of the bounce.

Schraymayer appeared in control with a 4-2 lead and service. With three opportunities to go up, 5-2, Hall made the shot that swung momentum his way. Down, 40-15, he drilled a top-spin forehand that hit the top of the net and dribbled over for the point. Schraymayer was stunned and yelled out in disbelief. Two deuces later, Hall took the game when Schraymayer double faulted, his third of the set; all costing him game points.

Back on serve at 3-4, Hall took advantage. He held serve at 4-4, and then broke Schraymayer after three deuces to go up, 5-4. Hall claimed the match, when the forehand return of Schraymayer he dreaded so much, went long, giving Hall the title.

“This is the tournament I really want to win every year,” Hall said. “It feels great.”

The men’s doubles final was as hard fought as the singles, despite the dwindling crowd.

Corona del Mar’s Daniel Lachman with partner Chip Parmelly of Diamond Bar, rallied after dropping the first set, but second-seeded Steve Welch (Arlington, Texas) and Scott Douglas (Pelham, Ala.) came away with their first doubles title, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3.

The first set was marred by numerous unforced errors by Lachman, but he regained his composure in the second set as he and Parmelly rallied from a 4-2 deficit to tie the sets, 1-1.

The key game in the final set came with Parmelly serving, down, 3-4. Battling through 10 deuces, Welch and Douglas were able to break their opponents on the scoreboard as well as mentally. Welch gave his team the advantage with a forehand shot that came as he crashed into a wall. Douglas then put the game away on a forehand volley that Lachman couldn’t return. With a 5-3 lead, and their opponents drained, Welch and Douglas quickly put the final game away.

“My partner carried me the whole match,” Welch said. “I finally showed up at the end.”