Top Seeds Advance in Indoor Nationals

Putnam photo
Chris Bennett and Tom Smith were named to the ITF World Seniors Team, the players met in the Indoor Singles final last year, Bennett advanced in a straight set victory while Smith was upset in a tough match.

Defending Champ Bennett Advances to 3rd Round of Indoor Nationals

Boise--Defending USTA Men’s 55 Indoor champion Chris Bennett of Marlton, New Jersey advanced to the round of 16 with a quick 6-3, 6-0 win over Mark Massey of McLean, Virginia. Bennett arrived in Boise on Monday but he almost didn't make it. His trip to Boise was in jeopardy after nearly four feet of snow buried his South New Jersey home last week. “I came out here expecting even more snow, but when I landed in Boise the weather was real nice.” Bennett is tennis pro in Marlton, New Jersey and says a championship here would springboard him and his teamates into international competition.

Last month the USTA announced that Bennett, top seed Fred Robinson and Robinson's doubles partner, Tom Smith will represent the United States at the 30th ITF Seniors World Team Championships hosted by Federacion Mexicana de Tenis. The team championships feature the top senior tennis players in the world on March 29- April 3in Mexico City, Mexico.

The ITF Seniors/Super-Seniors World Team Championships is the most coveted team event on the ITF Seniors circuit. Since its inception in 1981, the number of worldclass senior competitors in this event continues to grow each year.

"My goal," he says started out as just making a National Team, I made the team at 50 and now the 55's. We have a chance to win the Cup and this tournament is a part of that goal."

Day 2, Second Round Results
2) Christopher Bennett d. Mark Massey 6-3, 6-0

Mark Sullivan d. (9) Dave Delancey 6-4, 6-4

(9)Miguel Phelps d. Grant Upchurch 6-0, 6-1

(5)Andrew Stanley d. Timothy Butorac 6-2, 6-1

(4)Sal Castillo d. Tom Rettenmaier 6-1, 6-7, 6-3

(9)Toby Crabel d. Tom Monahan 6-7, 1-0 (Ret, inj)

(9)Leslie Curtis d. Joel Specht 6-7, 6-2, 6-4

(5)Robert Chappell d. John Diaz 6-1, 6-0

(5)Carl Sechen d. Robert Levine 6-3,6-0, 6-4

(9)Kelly Davidson d. Mel Collazo 4-6, 6-4

(9) Saeed Nowrasteh d. Tom Lonergan 6-2, 6-4

Ray Pascale d. (3)Tom Smith 7-6, 6-4

(5)Eric Finkle d. James Nelson 6-1, 6-0

Brad Richison d. (9) Scott Rockwood

(9)Rollin Rhone d. Charles Cole 6-2,6-3

(1)Fred Robinson d. David Northney 6-1, 6-3