Chicago Charities – Chris Gambino and David Ohlmuller successfully defend and Kerri Delmonico and Shelly Mores win their first title

Another year for the charities goes off without a hitch thanks to the leadership of John Noble and Company. This November, 296 players competed in four events: The Men’s Open, Women’s Open, Men’s 45+, and Men’s 55+.

In the women’s open tournament, last season’s finalists Aery/Viant and Fulton/Prendergast were no-shows. Therefore, the draw was ripe for the picking. The biggest quarter-final upsets came when 5th seeded Kerri Delmonico and Shelly Morse upset the top-seeded team of Tonia Mangan and Bobo Delaney. They proceeded to defeat Jane McNitt and Leslie Hough (who defeated 3rd seeded Hilary Debbs and Patty Hogan) in a three-set semi-final match. In the other half of the draw, 2nd seeded Mary Doten and Julia Sierks held their ground to reach the finals. Kerri and Shelly won the finals (their first Charities Title) in a hard-fought match.

In the men’s draw, the top seeds proceeded to the semis with only a few minor upsets…that is if you ignore the fact that the 10th seeded team of Mike Stulac (Toronto) and Scott Bondurant (Chicago) defeated Cosimano/Stipa in the 16s, Goodspeed/Mansager (6-2,6-2) in the quarters, and Estes/Mackesy(4-6,6-0,7-6) in the semis…not to mention Dollard/Hallet(7-6, 6-7,7-6?) in the 32′s! On the other half of the draw, defending champs Chris Gambino and David Ohlmuller defeated Hough/Uihlein in the Semis and Kaufman/Milbank in the quarters to reach the finals. The 7-6, 6-4 final match-up was a battle with the defending champions prevailing.

Source: Platform Tennis Magazine, Vol. 4, Issue 3, January, 2003