Denis Kudla won both the men’s singles and doubles championship at the 2014 United States Tennis Association (USTA) Nielsen Pro Tennis Championship in the Chicago area. Kudla beat Farrukh Dustov in straight sets (6-2 and 6-2) to win the men’s singles championship. Kudla took a 30 minute break and then with his partner Thanasi Kokkinakis beat Evan King and Raymond Sarmiento in straight sets (6-2 and 7-6(7)) to win the men’s doubles championship.
The USTA Challenger biographies notes that Kudla, 21, was born in Ukraine and currently resides in Arlington, Virginia. Kudla was the 2010 US Open Juniors runner-up. Kudla has now won 4 Challenger singles titles. He has won 2 doubles Futures titles and now can add this doubles win to his career totals. Kudla has been ranked as high as No. 112 in the world in singles.
Kudla’s doubles partner Kokkinakis is the young 18-year-old phenom from Australia. Kokkinakis won the 2013 men’s doubles title with Nick Kyrigios at Wimbledon. Kyrigios recently beat Rafael Nadal in men’s singles at Wimbledon a few days ago.
Dustov started very slowly against Kudla in the singles championship. He had a big height advantage over Kudla but could not consistently get his first serve in most of the match. By the time Dustov realized he was more successful against Kudla’s forehand, Dustov was already down a set. However, while Dustov got better, his 38% first serve success let him down. Dustov’s footwork also was often the key to his winning or losing a point.
King and Sarmiento in the men’s doubles were easily dispatched in the first set. But they played much better in the second set and nearly forced a pro set tie break. Ultimately, Kudla and Kokkinakis were too clutch and on their game to lose. Both Kudla and Kokkinakis appear to be young players to watch in the next few years.
It was a great week in Winnetka, IL and a lot of competitive tennis. It was great to hear that last year’s Nielsen men’s singles champ Jack Sock won the Wimbledon 2014 men’s doubles event with first time partner Vasek Pospisil over the Bryan brothers, Bob and Mike.
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Main Photo Credit Valerie David, used with permission, all rights reserved.
