From Winnipeg to Flushing Meadows

John-Patrick Smith had little time to celebrate his first title
of the year, as he travels to New York where he will compete
in the U.S. Open. (Photo: Brian McCann)

By Geoff Kirbyson

J.P. Smith is on a roll heading into the U.S. Open.

The 24-year-old Australia native won the second-annual Manshield Tennis Futures tournament with a hard-fought 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory in sweltering conditions over Ante Pavic of Croatia at the Sargent Park Tennis Gardens Sunday afternoon.

It’s the first title of 2013 for Smith, who is ranked 304 in the world, and the fourth in his career. Pavic is ranked 555 in the world.

Immediately following the match, Smith Tweeted that he’s off to New York City for the U.S. Open, where he’s going to compete in men’s doubles. He is currently ranked No. 72 in the world in doubles.

Smith defeated Cameron Norrie of Great Britain in the semi-finals, 6-1, 6-2 on Saturday, while Pavic beat American Evan King 6-3, 6-2.

The loss ended a great week for Pavic, who had told organizers earlier this month while in Calgary that he was playing so poorly he wasn’t even going to enter Manshield. Instead, he came to Winnipeg, won the doubles and knocked off No. 1 seed Filip Peliwo in the quarter-finals.

See also...
> Aussie Smith Crowned Champion at Winnipeg Futures
> Pavic and Smith Reach Winnipeg Futures Final
> Pavic Haunts Peliwo
> Winnipeg Futures down to Semifinals; Pokrajac Wins Doubles Title
> Peliwo Continues March in both Singles and Doubles
> Two Canadians in Quater-Finals at Winnipeg Futures
> Kylar Nearly Makes History
> First Round Complete at Winnipeg Futures
> Road to U.S. Open runs through Winnipeg
> First Round Underway at Winnipeg Futures