Los Angeles Open (tennis)

(Redirected from Countrywide Classic)

The Los Angeles Open was a former tennis tournament held in Los Angeles, United States from 1927 until 2012. It included a women's draw until 1974 when Linda Lewis won the last ladies title. Subsequently, it became a men-only event and integrated into the ATP's professional tennis circuit. The inaugural edition of the event, known as the Pacific Southwest Championships, was organized by Perry T. Jones and held at the Los Angeles Tennis Club (LATC) starting in October 1927. Bill Tilden and Kea Bouman were the first singles champions.[1] The tournament quickly became a prestigious event on the tennis calendar.[2]

Los Angeles Open
Defunct tennis tournament
Founded1927
Abolished2012
Editions86
LocationLos Angeles, California
United States
VenueLos Angeles Tennis Club (1927–1974, 1980–1983)
Pauley Pavilion
(1975–1979)
Los Angeles Tennis Center (1984–2012)
CategoryATP World Tour 250 series /
ATP International Series /
ATP World Series
(1990–2012)
Grand Prix Tour
(1970–1989)
SurfaceHard / outdoors
Draw28S / 32Q / 16D (2012)
Prize money$557,550 (2012)

History edit

The tournament was usually held in September and hosted the top men (and until 1975, women) in the world.[3] Tournament winners from its beginning in 1927 until 1967 included most of the world's No. 1 tennis players: Bill Tilden, Ellsworth Vines, Don Budge, Fred Perry, Jack Kramer, Pancho Gonzales and amateur champions Roy Emerson and Barry MacKay. In the open era the event was known by various (sponsored) names including Farmers Classic, Countrywide Classic, Los Angeles Tennis Open, Pacific South West Open and Jack Kramer Open. Jack Kramer became the tournament director in 1970 when Jones retired.[2] In the open era, the tournament was won by Rod Laver twice, a second and third time by Gonzales, Stan Smith, Arthur Ashe, Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, Pete Sampras, Richard Krajicek, and Andre Agassi. In doubles, Bob and Mike Bryan won a record six titles.[4]

From 1975 to 1979 the tournament was played indoors at the Pauley Pavilion.[5][6] Beginning in 1984, the tournament was held at the Los Angeles Tennis Center at UCLA, which was built to host the 1984 Summer Olympics tennis event. The matches were played on the Straus Stadium court with a capacity of 6,500 and the 1,500-seat capacity Grandstand court. In its last years it was an ATP World Tour 250 series tournament on the ATP Tour and had a 28-player singles draw and 16-team doubles draw. The tournament, with prize money of $557,550 in 2012, was one of the events included in the US Open Series. Special events during the tournament's run included Kids Day, Fashion Day, Valspar Performance Challenge, and a Legends Invitational Singles competition.

Colombian investors purchased the tournament's license for $1.5 million at the end of 2012 and moved the tournament to Bogotá where it was named the Claro Open Colombia.[7][8][9]

 
Main Entrance to the Countrywide Classic at UCLA's L.A. Tennis Center.
 
Straus Stadium at the L.A. Tennis Center, on the UCLA campus.
 
Grandstand court at the LA Tennis Open.

Past winners edit

Men's singles edit

Year Champions Runners-up Score
1927   Bill Tilden   Francis Hunter 6–2, 6–4, 6–2
1928   Henri Cochet   Christian Boussus 2–6, 6–4, 6–3, 6–3
1929   John Doeg   John Van Ryn 8–10, 7–5, 9–7, 8–6
1930   Ellsworth Vines   Gregory Mangin 14–12, 6–3, 6–4
1931   Ellsworth Vines (2)   Fred Perry 8–10, 6–3, 4–6, 7–5, 6–2
1932   Fred Perry   Jiro Satoh 6–2, 6–4, 7–5
1933   Fred Perry (2)   Jiro Satoh 6–4, 1–6, 6–0, 7–5
1934   Fred Perry (3)   Lester Stoefen 10–8, 6–4, 6–3
1935   Don Budge   Roderich Menzel 1–6, 11–9, 6–3, retired
1936   Don Budge (2)   Fred Perry 6–2, 4–6, 6–2, 6–2
1937   Don Budge (3)   Gottfried von Cramm 2–6, 7–5, 6–4, 7–5
1938   Adrian Quist   Harry Hopman 6–3, 0–6, 6–4, 6–4
1939   John Bromwich   Franjo Punčec 4–6, 6–0, 6–2, 6–4
1940   Bobby Riggs   Don McNeill 5–7, 2–6, 6–0, 12–10, 6–3
1941   Frank Parker   Frank Kovacs 7–5, 6–0, 6–1
1942   Frank Parker (2)   Pancho Segura 6–4, 6–1, 6–3
1943   Jack Kramer   Pancho Segura 0–6, 6–1, 6–2
1944   Frank Parker (3)   William Talbert 6–4, 6–8, 8–6
1945   Frank Parker (4)   Herbert Flam 6–2, 6–4
1946   Jack Kramer (2)   Ted Schroeder 6–2, 6–8, 6–2, 8–6
1947   Jack Kramer (3)   Ted Schroeder 10–8, 6–4, 6–4
1948   Ted Schroeder   Frank Parker 4–6, 7–9, 7–5, retired
1949   Pancho Gonzalez   Ted Schroeder 6–3, 9–11, 8–6, 6–4
1950   Frank Sedgman   Ted Schroeder 9–7, 6–3, 6–2
1951   Frank Sedgman (2)   Tony Trabert 6–3, 6–3, 2–6, 6–4
1952   Vic Seixas   Frank Sedgman 6–4, 6–4, 6–4
1953   Ken Rosewall   Vic Seixas 6–4, 1–6, 3–6, 6–1, 6–4
1954   Vic Seixas (2)   Tony Trabert 7–5, 6–3, 6–4
1955   Tony Trabert   Herbert Flam 6–1, 6–4, 6–2
1956   Herbert Flam   Ken Rosewall 4–6, 6–1, 5–7, 6–3, 7–5
1957   Vic Seixas (3)   Gilbert Shea 9–7, 6–3, 6–4
1958   Ham Richardson   Alex Olmedo 7–5, 6–2, 4–6, 9–7
1959   Roy Emerson   Ramanathan Krishnan 6–3, 4–6, 6–0, 6–4
1960   Barry MacKay   Earl Buchholz 5–7, 6–4, 6–4, 3–6, 6–3
1961   Jon Douglas   Roy Emerson 6–2, 1–6, 6–4
1962   Roy Emerson (2)   Rod Laver 16–14, 6–3
1963   Arthur Ashe   Whitney Reed 2–6, 9–7, 6–2
1964   Roy Emerson (3)   Dennis Ralston 6–3, 6–3
1965   Dennis Ralston   Arthur Ashe 6–4, 6–3
1966   Allen Fox   Roy Emerson 6–3, 6–3
1967   Roy Emerson (4)   Marty Riessen 12–14, 6–3, 6–4
Open Era
1968   Rod Laver   Ken Rosewall 4–6, 6–0, 6–0
1969   Pancho Gonzalez (2)   Cliff Richey 6–0, 7–5
1970   Rod Laver (2)   John Newcombe 4–6, 6–4, 7–6(7–5)
1971   Pancho Gonzalez (3)   Jimmy Connors 3–6, 6–3, 6–3
1972   Stan Smith   Roscoe Tanner 6–4, 6–4
1973   Jimmy Connors   Tom Okker 7–5, 7–6
1974   Jimmy Connors (2)   Harold Solomon 6–3, 6–1
1975   Arthur Ashe (2)   Roscoe Tanner 3–6, 7–5, 6–3
1976   Brian Gottfried   Arthur Ashe 6–2, 6–2
1977   Stan Smith (2)   Brian Gottfried 6–4, 2–6, 6–3
1978   Arthur Ashe (3)   Brian Gottfried 6–2, 6–4
1979   Peter Fleming   John McEnroe 6–4, 6–4
1980   Gene Mayer   Brian Teacher 6–3, 6–2
1981   John McEnroe   Sandy Mayer 6–7, 6–3, 6–3
1982   Jimmy Connors (3)   Mel Purcell 6–2, 6–1
1983   Gene Mayer (2)   Johan Kriek 7–6, 6–1
1984   Jimmy Connors (4)   Eliot Teltscher 6–4, 4–6, 6–4
1985   Paul Annacone   Stefan Edberg 7–6(7–5), 6–7(8–10), 7–6(7–4)
1986   John McEnroe (2)   Stefan Edberg 6–2, 6–3
1987   David Pate   Stefan Edberg 6–4, 6–4
1988   Mikael Pernfors   Andre Agassi 6–2, 7–5
1989   Aaron Krickstein   Michael Chang 2–6, 6–4, 6–2
1990   Stefan Edberg   Michael Chang 7–6, 2–6, 7–6
1991   Pete Sampras   Brad Gilbert 6–2, 6–7(5–7), 6–3
1992   Richard Krajicek   Mark Woodforde 6–4, 2–6, 6–4
1993   Richard Krajicek (2)   Michael Chang 0–6, 7–6(7–3), 7–6(7–5)
1994   Boris Becker   Mark Woodforde 6–2, 6–2
1995   Michael Stich   Thomas Enqvist 6–7(7–9), 7–6(7–4), 6–2
1996   Michael Chang   Richard Krajicek 6–4, 6–3
1997   Jim Courier   Thomas Enqvist 6–4, 6–4
1998   Andre Agassi   Tim Henman 6–4, 6–4
1999   Pete Sampras (2)   Andre Agassi 7–6(7–3), 7–6(7–1)
2000   Michael Chang (2)   Jan-Michael Gambill 6–7(2–7), 6–3, retired
2001   Andre Agassi (2)   Pete Sampras 6–4, 6–2
2002   Andre Agassi (3)   Jan-Michael Gambill 6–2, 6–4
2003   Wayne Ferreira   Lleyton Hewitt 6–3, 4–6, 7–5
2004   Tommy Haas   Nicolas Kiefer 7–6(8–6), 6–4
2005   Andre Agassi (4)   Gilles Müller 6–4, 7–5
2006   Tommy Haas (2)   Dmitry Tursunov 4–6, 7–5, 6–3
2007   Radek Štěpánek   James Blake 7–6(9–7), 5–7, 6–2
2008   Juan Martín del Potro   Andy Roddick 6–1, 7–6(7–2)
2009   Sam Querrey   Carsten Ball 6–4, 3–6, 6–1
2010   Sam Querrey (2)   Andy Murray 5–7, 7–6(7–2), 6–3
2011   Ernests Gulbis   Mardy Fish 5–7, 6–4, 6–4
2012   Sam Querrey (3)   Ričardas Berankis 6–0, 6–2
2013 succeeded by Claro Open Colombia

Women's singles edit

Year Champions Runners-up Score
1927   Kea Bouman   Molla Bjurstedt Mallory 6–2, 0–6, 6–4
1928   May Sutton Bundy   Marjorie Gladman 6–1, 6–2
1929   Betty Nuthall   Anna McCune Harper 8–6, 7–5
1930   Ethel Burkhardt   Marjorie Gladstone 8–6, 6–0
1931   Anna McCune Harper   Josephine Cruickshank 3–6, 6–3, 6–4
1932   Anna McCune Harper   Alice Marble 10–8, 6–3
1933   Dorothy Round   Alice Marble 6–2, 6–2
1934   Ethel Burkhardt   Kay Stammers 10–8, 1–6, 6–4
1935   Ethel Burkhardt   Kay Stammers 6–1, 6–4
1936   Gracyn Wheeler   Alice Marble 7–5, 2–6, 6–4
1937   Alice Marble   Gracyn Wheeler 6–1, 6–0
1938   Dorothy Bundy   Sarah Palfrey Fabyan 6–4, 6–4
1939   Alice Marble   Dorothy Bundy 9–7, 6–1
1940   Dorothy Bundy   Valerie Scott 6–3, 6–3
1941   Sarah Palfrey Cooke   Dorothy Bundy 6–3, 7–5
1942   Pauline Betz   Louise Brough 6–2, 6–2
1943   Louise Brough   Mary Arnold 6–3, 6–3
1944   Pauline Betz   Margaret Osborne 6–4, 6–3
1945   Margaret Osborne   Louise Brough 11–9, 6–2
1946   Pauline Betz   Dorothy Bundy 6–2, 6–2
1947   Beverly Baker   Patricia Canning Todd 6–3, 6–2
1948   Louise Brough   Beverly Baker 6–2, 6–3
1949   Helen Perez   Beverly Baker 7–5, 5–7, 4–1 ret.
1950   Helen Perez   Dorothy Bundy Cheney 6–2, 6–2
1951   Maureen Connolly   Beverly Baker 9–7, 6–4
1952   Maureen Connolly   Doris Hart 6–4, 3–6, 6–1
1953   Doris Hart   Shirley Fry 1–6, 6–3, 6–4
1954   Louise Brough   Barbara Breit 6–3, 4–6, 6–1
1955   Beverly Baker Fleitz   Barbara Breit 6–1, 6–4
1956   Althea Gibson   Nancy Chaffee 4–6, 6–2, 6–1
1957   Althea Gibson   Louise Brough 6–3, 6–1
1958   Beverly Baker Fleitz   Darlene Hard 6–3, 9–7
1959   Beverly Baker Fleitz   Maria Bueno 4–6, 6–4, 6–3
1960   Ann Haydon   Darlene Hard 6–4, 6–3
1961   Darlene Hard   Karen Hantze Susman 5–7, 6–2, 6–3
1962   Carole Caldwell   Darlene Hard 6–8, 11–9, 2–4 ret.
1963   Darlene Hard   Billie Jean Moffitt 6–3, 6–3
1964   Maria Bueno   Billie Jean Moffitt 3–6, 6–3, 6–2
1965   Carole Caldwell Graebner   Tory Fretz 6–4, 6–4
1966   Maria Bueno   Patti Hogan 6–2, 6–2
1967   Billie Jean King   Rosemary Casals 6–0, 6–4
1968   Rosemary Casals   Maria Bueno 6–3, 6–1
1969   Billie Jean King   Ann Haydon Jones 6–2, 6–3
1970   Sharon Walsh   Lesley Hunt 6–3, 6–2
1971   Rosemary Casals &   Billie Jean King 6–6 joint default
1972   Marita Redondo   Janice Metcalf 7–5, 5–7, 6–2
1973   Kathy May   Lea Antonoplis 5–7, 6–1, 6–2
1974   Linda Lewis   Susan Hagey 6–2, 6–2
1974 women's events discontinued

Men's doubles edit

Year Champions Runners-up Score
1968   Ken Rosewall
  Fred Stolle
  Cliff Drysdale
  Roger Taylor
7–5, 6–1
1969   Pancho Gonzales
  Ron Holmberg
  Jim McManus
  Jim Osborne
6–3, 6–4
1970   Tom Okker
  Marty Riessen
  Stan Smith
  Bob Lutz
7–6, 6–2
1971   John Alexander
  Phil Dent
  Frank Froehling
  Clark Graebner
7–6, 6–4
1972   Jimmy Connors
  Pancho Gonzales (2)
  Ismail El Shafei
  Brian Fairlie
6–3, 7–6
1973   Jan Kodeš
  Vladimír Zedník
  Jimmy Connors
  Ilie Nastase
6–2, 6–4
1974   Ross Case
  Geoff Masters
  Brian Gottfried
  Raúl Ramírez
6–3, 6–2
1975   Anand Amritraj
  Vijay Amritraj
  Cliff Drysdale
  Marty Riessen
7–6, 4–6, 6–4
1976   Robert Lutz
  Stan Smith
  Arthur Ashe
  Charlie Pasarell
6–2, 3–6, 6–2
1977   Bob Hewitt
  Frew McMillan
  Robert Lutz
  Stan Smith
6–3, 6–4
1978   John Alexander (2)
  Phil Dent (2)
  Fred McNair
  Raúl Ramírez
7–6, 6–3
1979   Marty Riessen (2)
  Sherwood Stewart
  Wojciech Fibak
  Frew McMillan
6–4, 6–4
1980   Brian Teacher
  Butch Walts
  Anand Amritraj
  John Austin
6–2, 6–4
1981   Tom Gullikson
  Butch Walts
  John McEnroe
  Ferdi Taygan
6–4, 6–4
1982   Sherwood Stewart (2)
  Ferdi Taygan
  Bruce Manson
  Brian Teacher
6–1, 6–7, 6–3
1983   Peter Fleming
  John McEnroe (2)
  Sandy Mayer
  Ferdi Taygan
6–1, 6–2
1984   Ken Flach
  Robert Seguso
  Wojtek Fibak
  Sandy Mayer
4–6, 6–4, 6–3
1985   Scott Davis
  Robert Van't Hof
  Paul Annacone
  Christo van Rensburg
6–3, 7–6
1986   Stefan Edberg
  Anders Järryd
  Peter Fleming
  John McEnroe
3–6, 7–5, 7–6
1987   Kevin Curren
  David Pate
  Brad Gilbert
  Tim Wilkison
6–3, 6–4
1988   John McEnroe (3)
  Mark Woodforde
  Peter Doohan
  Jim Grabb
6–4, 6–4
1989   Martin Davis
  Tim Pawsat
  John Fitzgerald
  Anders Järryd
7–5, 7–6
1990   Scott Davis (2)
  David Pate (2)
  Peter Lundgren
  Paul Wekesa
3–6, 6–1, 6–3
1991   Javier Frana
  Jim Pugh
  Glenn Michibata
  Brad Pearce
7–5, 2–6, 6–4
1992   Patrick Galbraith
  Jim Pugh (2)
  Francisco Montana
  David Wheaton
7–6, 7–6
1993   Wayne Ferreira
  Michael Stich
  Grant Connell
  Scott Davis
7–6, 7–6
1994   John Fitzgerald
  Mark Woodforde (2)
  Scott Davis
  Brian MacPhie
4–6, 6–2, 6–0
1995   Brent Haygarth
  Kent Kinnear
  Scott Davis
  Goran Ivanišević
6–4, 7–6
1996   Marius Barnard
  Piet Norval
  Jonas Björkman
  Nicklas Kulti
7–5, 6–2
1997   Sébastien Lareau
  Alex O'Brien
  Mahesh Bhupathi
  Rick Leach
7–6, 6–4
1998   Patrick Rafter
  Sandon Stolle
  Jeff Tarango
  Daniel Vacek
6–4, 6–4
1999   Byron Black
  Wayne Ferreira (2)
  Goran Ivanišević
  Brian MacPhie
6–2, 7–6(7–4)
2000   Paul Kilderry
  Sandon Stolle
  Jan-Michael Gambill
  Scott Humphries
walkover
2001   Bob Bryan
  Mike Bryan
  Jan-Michael Gambill
  Andy Roddick
7–5, 7–6(8–6)
2002   Sébastien Grosjean
  Nicolas Kiefer
  Justin Gimelstob
  Michaël Llodra
6–4, 6–4
2003   Jan-Michael Gambill
  Travis Parrott
  Joshua Eagle
  Sjeng Schalken
6–4, 3–6, 7–5
2004   Bob Bryan (2)
  Mike Bryan (2)
  Wayne Arthurs
  Paul Hanley
6–3, 7–6(8–6)
2005   Rick Leach
  Brian MacPhie
  Jonathan Erlich
  Andy Ram
6–3, 6–4
2006   Bob Bryan (3)
  Mike Bryan (3)
  Eric Butorac
  Jamie Murray
6–2, 6–4
2007   Bob Bryan (4)
  Mike Bryan (4)
  Scott Lipsky
  David Martin
7–6(7–5), 6–2
2008   Rohan Bopanna
  Eric Butorac
  Travis Parrott
  Dušan Vemić
7–6(7–5), 7–6(7–5)
2009   Bob Bryan (5)
  Mike Bryan (5)
  Benjamin Becker
  Frank Moser
6–4, 7–6(2)
2010   Bob Bryan (6)
  Mike Bryan (6)
  Eric Butorac
  Jean-Julien Rojer
6–7(6–8), 6–2, [10–7]
2011   Mark Knowles
  Xavier Malisse
  Somdev Devvarman
  Treat Conrad Huey
7–6(7–3), 7–6(12–10)
2012   Ruben Bemelmans
  Xavier Malisse (2)
  Jamie Delgado
  Ken Skupski
7–6(7–5), 4–6, [10–7]

Most titles edit

# of titles Name Years
Singles
4   Andre Agassi
  Jimmy Connors
  Roy Emerson
  Frank Parker
2005, 2002, 2001, 1998
1984, 1982, 1974, 1973
1967, 1964, 1962, 1959
1945, 1944, 1942, 1941
3   Sam Querrey
  Arthur Ashe
  Pancho Gonzalez
  Vic Seixas
  Jack Kramer
  Donald Budge
  Fred Perry
2012, 2010, 2009
1978, 1975, 1963
1971, 1969, 1949
1957, 1954, 1952
1947, 1946, 1943
1937, 1936, 1935
1934, 1933, 1932
2   Tommy Haas
  Michael Chang
  Pete Sampras
  Richard Krajicek
  John McEnroe
  Gene Mayer
  Stan Smith
  Rod Laver
  Frank Sedgman
  Ellsworth Vines
2006, 2004
2000, 1996
1999, 1991
1993, 1992
1986, 1981
1983, 1980
1977, 1972
1970, 1968
1951, 1950
1931, 1930
Doubles
6   Bob Bryan
  Mike Bryan
2010, 2009, 2007, 2006, 2004, 2001
2010, 2009, 2007, 2006, 2004, 2001

Previous names edit

Years Name Sponsor
2010–2012 Farmers Classic Farmers Insurance Group
2009 LA Tennis Open None
2006–2008 Countrywide Classic Countrywide Bank
1998–2005 Mercedes-Benz Cup Mercedes-Benz
1995–1997 Infiniti Open Infiniti
1979–1981 Jack Kramer Open None
Los Angeles Open Volvo
1927–1975 Pacific Southwest Championships

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Wright, Irvine C., ed. (1928). Wright & Ditson's Lawn Tennis Guide for 1928. Boston: Wright & Ditson. pp. 133–134.
  2. ^ a b Baltzell, E. Digby (1995). Sporting Gentlemen : Men's Tennis from the Age of Honor to the Cult of the Superstar. New York [u.a.]: Free Press. pp. 233–241. ISBN 9780029013151.
  3. ^ Farmers Insurance Group Increases Role at LA Tennis Open With Title Sponsorship Archived 2011-07-10 at the Wayback Machine, Farmersclassic.com
  4. ^ Diane Pucin, Bryan twins set tennis record in doubles, Los Angeles Times, August 2, 2010
  5. ^ John Barrett, ed. (1976). World of Tennis '76 : a BP and Commercial Union yearbook. London: Queen Anne Press. pp. 100–101. ISBN 9780362002768. OCLC 650229036.
  6. ^ Adam Karon (July 23, 2000). "L.A. brings a little bit of tinseltown to tournament". Daily Bruin.
  7. ^ Farmers Classic: L.A. To Lose Its Big Tennis Tourney, Insidetennis.com
  8. ^ "ATP approves event in Bogotá from 2013". www.atpworldtour.com. ATP. December 12, 2012.
  9. ^ Claro Open Colombia, ATP World Tour, 2013

External links edit

34°04′12″N 118°26′53″W / 34.070°N 118.448°W / 34.070; -118.448