Minneapolis, Minn. – The finals will have a local flavor as Minnesotans Tony Larson, Nelson Vick and Aria Lambert all advanced to the championships of the 2011 US Open National Qualifying Tournament at the Baseline Tennis Center on the University of Minnesota campus. The winners of Sunday’s matches will then qualify for the US Open Section Tournament in New Haven, Conn., in mid-August, with the winners of those events qualifying for the US Open.

            Lambert of Excelsior, Minn., opened the day with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Gopher assistant women’s coach Daria Panova. A former Minnesota state champion, Lambert will be a freshman at Minnesota this fall. Lambert faces Megan Falcon (Baton Rouge, La.) for the title. Falcon, who is ranked in the top 500 of the world, defeated 14-year old Nyla Beenk (LeClaire, Iowa.) 6-4, 6-4.

            Larson will have the opportunity to defend his 2010 title Sunday after defeating Tyler Cleveland (Fairfield, Iowa) 7-6 (1) and 6-1. Larson, who is originally from Alexandria, Minn., and played at St. Cloud State, will face Stillwater’s Nelson Vick in the finals. Vick, who is entering his sophomore year at Ohio State, beat former Minnesota state champion Wyatt McCoy (Shoreview, Minn.)  6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-1 in the other semifinal.

            The mixed doubles final will also have a local flavor as it will feature a pair of teams with Gopher connections as newly graduated Tobias Wernet and former Gopher Dana Young will play the winner of the match between Imke Reimers/Erik Donley and Reven Stephens/Lindsey Risebrough. Reimers is a volunteer assistant coach at the U, while the other three played there. Wernet and Young beat Falcon and Lance Johnson (Berkeley, Calif.) 7-5, 3-6, 1-0 (10).

The women’s finals match is at 9 a.m., followed by men’s singles at 11 a.m. and mixed doubles at 1 p.m. Admission to the matches is free.

 

US Open Northern Section Qualifying Tournament

Baseline Tennis Center

Minneapolis, Minn.

 

Complete Day Three Results


Men’s Singles – Semifinals

Nelson Vick d. Wyatt McCoy 6-7, 6-2, 6-1

Tony Larson d. Tyler Cleveland 7-6 (1), 6-1


Women’s Results - Semifinals

Megan Falcon d. Nyla Beenk 6-4, 6-4

Aria Lambert d. Daria Panova 6-1, 6-1

 

Mixed Doubles – Quarterfinals

Lindsey Risebrough/Reven Stephens d. Brenna Kelly/Wyatt McCoy 6-4; 6-4

 

Mixed Doubles - Semifinals

Tobias Wernet/Dana Young d. Megan Falcon/Lance Johnson 7-5; 3-6; 1-0(10)

Imke Reimers/Eric Donley vs. Stevens/Risebrough