It was a successful run for the headline player at the Richmond Country Club’s Davis Trading Holiday Open but not before an impressive showing from a up-and-coming hometown talent.
Former world top 40 Rebecca Marino captured Sunday’s women’s final with a 7-5 7-6 victory over Richmond’s own Jessie Gong. The 17-year-old had come through with a three set (6-4, 2-6, 6-4) upset win over No. 2 seed Alexandra Vagramov in the semi-finals after opening with a 6-3, 6-2 win against Bozana Lojpur.
Gong represented B.C. at the Canada Summer Games in Winnipeg back in August, winning silver in the mixed team event. She also reached the third round of the U18 Nationals in Mississauga and teamed with Rhea Verma to advance to the semis in doubles.
For Marino, it was another step forward as she goes through the International Tennis Federation process of “un-retiring” to be eligible to play in ITF events again. The 27-year-old Vancouver native has resumed her career after taking a four-year break from the mental and physical demands of being on the professional circuit. During that time she studied at UBC and was a member of the Thunderbirds rowing team while still teaching the game at the UBC Tennis Centre.
Marino began play at the Richmond CC with a 6-2, 6-1 quarter-final win over Chae Sun Yoo, then got past Sophia Hoo 6-0, 7-5 on Saturday.
The men’s draw was won by No. 4 seed Carl Ho with a 7-6, 6-4 triumph over No. 3 Jack Davis.
