NANDA AND DE VILLIERS CAPTURE TITLE AT 130th ANNUAL PACIFIC COAST MEN’S DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP UCLA Duo Edges USC’s Holt and Smith in Thrilling Final
LA JOLLA, Calif. – (March 3, 2019) – A doubles team never forgets its debut tournament and that’s especially true for Govind Nanda and Johannes de Villiers. The tandem with UCLA roots defeated USC’s Brandon Holt and Riley Smith, 7-6 (7-0), 4-6, 10-4, to win the 130th annual Pacific Coast Men’s Doubles Championship on Sunday.
“It was the first time we played together,” said Nanda, a UCLA freshman. “I think we did pretty well.”
De Villiers is a Bruin as well, but in a coaching capacity. It’s been roughly three years since de Villiers, a 29-year-old former touring pro from South Africa, saw his name in a draw.
“I know I am still playing pretty good tennis, but I really don’t get a chance to compete,” de Villiers said. “So, for me, it’s a lot of fun to play again, especially with someone like Govind. I can’t say how much fun it is.”
The final between these co-No. 1 seeds capped a full day of tennis as three rounds were played at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club after rained canceled Saturday’s schedule.
Nanda-de Villiers shined in the tiebreakers and that was the difference. After blitzing their rivals with seven straight points to take the first set, they prevailed in the third after racing to a 6-1 advantage.
“We started off pretty well and put a lot of first serves and returns in play at the beginning,” de Villiers said. “The pressure was on them the whole time and that helped us stay ahead in the ‘breaker.”
Holt-Smith secured a break against Nanda in the final game of the second set to even the match. But the steady play of de Villiers and Nanda at the net was too daunting.
“They were just a little too solid for us,” Smith said.
It was an ageless performance from teammates that are 11 years apart. “I’m not that old but sometimes it feels like it,” de Villiers said.
Added Nanda: “It doesn’t seem like I’m playing with an old-timer.”
Winning never gets old and the championship smiles from Nanda-de Villiers proved just that.
Named one of the “Top 50 Tennis Resorts in the World” by Tennis Resorts Online, the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club’s reputation as a top tennis destination started when it attracted its first major tournament – the Pacific Coast Men’s Doubles Championship in 1942. The tournament is one of the five-oldest tennis events in the world and the second oldest tennis event in the United States. First held in 1890 at The Hotel Del Monte in Monterey, California, the event was created to promote the sale of real estate on the Monterey peninsula. The original concept pitted the best players from the East versus those from the West. This coast-to-coast rivalry was the inspiration for the Davis Cup. Past winners of the Pacific Coast Men’s Doubles Championship include some on the greatest names in tennis, including Jack Kramer, Ted Schroeder, Bobby Riggs, Pancho Segura, Don Budge, Tony Trabert, Stan Smith, Bob Lutz, Arthur Ashe, Dennis Ralston and John McEnroe.
The Club will also be hosting the USTA National Hard Court Championships for Women’s 50-90 age groups and La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club Hard Court Tournament for Men’s 60-85 age groups on Monday, May 13, through Sunday, May 19.
About the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, Inc. – La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club is a fourth-generation, family-owned and operated company dedicated to the operation of a 14-acre beachside resort. The resort includes three properties, including the exclusive La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, the 128-room La Jolla Shores Hotel and the award-winning Marine Room restaurant. Resort amenities include 14 championship tennis courts, a nine-hole Par-3 golf course, two swimming pools, two additional oceanfront restaurants and cocktail lounges, and one of Southern California’s only private beaches. For more information, visit www.LJBTC.com.
