The 3rd Annual Florida One-On-One Doubles Championships took place on Saturday, November 4th at the historic St. Petersburg Tennis Center. Junior, College and Senior players from around the country came to participate in the crosscourt serve-and-volley Singles Tournament directed by Ed Krass, One-On-One Doubles Tournament Founder.

St. Leo's Luis Iriarte won the 25 player Open Draw with a 6-4 win over Florida Southern College's Inaki Braun Simo in the Final. Iriarte and two of his St. Leo Teammates, from the top 5 nationally ranked Division 2 team, competed in the tournament's round robin format leading up to the quarterfinal knockout rounds. "For being a very different way of competing, this One-On-One Doubles Tournament was very well organized and was definitely a lot of fun to play", stated Iriarte. St. Leo Coach Chad Berryhill, who was honored recently as the USPTA National College Coach of the Year, added "Our guys enjoyed this event tremendously. It was a well run event with a fun environment as well. I love that this One-On-One Doubles format gets players to go to the net and work on their midcourt skills! Well done as always by Coach Krass!"

Three players from the Florida Southern team reached the tournament's quarterfinals. Florida Southern College Men's Tennis Coach, Rhett Rollyson, said "The One-On-One Doubles event was such a great experience for my guys! The game reinforces so many things we work on in Doubles...make first serves, make returns, hit a solid first volley and look to close".

"One-On-One Doubles is the third way of competing, alongside Singles and Doubles play, at college tennis practices throughout the nation", said Krass, now in his 20th season of conducting One-On-One Doubles Tournaments. Krass has also hosted numerous Collegiate One-On-One Doubles Tournaments on the campuses of the University of Alabama, West Point, Stony Brook University and Florida Gulf Coast University. "Most of our half-day tournaments will include an electric rock and blues band performing during the tournament's round robin and/or with a DJ to add a more friendly, festive atmosphere to the intense competitions as we hosted Tampa's Tbone Hamilton Band at this past event", Krass added. This Open UTR tournament blended current and former college players with nationally ranked juniors.

The 40s and Over Division hosted numerous nationally ranked senior players. Ben Kronk, former ATP player, defeated Matthew Litsky, 6-5(7-4) in a well played final. Litsky played #2 for Columbia University in 1989 and reached an all time high #324 on the ATP Singles tour. Kronk is the son of Paul Kronk, who reached won 9 ATP Doubles Titles and was ranked #35 on the ATP Doubles tour. Paul was in attendance rooting on his son. "Playing One-On-One Doubles is way too much fun not to have!", stated Kronk who was also the 1978 and 1979 Australian Doubles Finalist.

The 60s and over Division was won by Randy Nistler, who competes in the ITF Senior Tournaments and who starred at Purdue University in the early 1980s. Nistler defeated Tim Keegan, USTA National Mens 60s & over Grasscourt Doubles Champion, 6-4, in the final.

Tournament Sponsors were The Hangar Restaurant & Flight Lounge, The Tennis Foundation of St. Petersburg, Tree House Gallery, Blind & Shutter Gallery, Young Foundational Health Center, Hardwood Specialists, Gerald Gallentine, Dr. Michael Coleman and Jeff Chambers.

One-On-One Doubles Tournaments have been played as part of an ATP, USTA Women's Pro Circuit Tournament, ITA Collegiate, ITA and USPTA National Convention and USTA National Senior Tournaments. For more information about One-On-One Doubles Tournaments, visit www.oneononedoubles.com. Tournament Founder, Ed Krass, can be reached at oneononedoubles@yahoo.com; 813-478-3384.

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