Oryshkevych wins marathon match to clinch men's tennis title (09/22/96)

Oryshkevych wins marathon match to clinch men's tennis title

KERHONKSON, N.Y. - Mark Oryshkevych of Chicago, who three years ago stole one set in his match against Roman Sydorak, this year ended that Californian's domination of the men's division, winning the men's championship trophy at the 41st national tennis tournament held at Soyuzivka over the Labor Day holiday weekend.

The tournament is held annually at the Ukrainian National Association's resort under the auspices of the Ukrainian Sports Federation of the U.S.A. and Canada (USCAK).

In a marathon-three-hour final match, Mr. Oryshkevych beat Mr. Sydorak in the second and third sets, 7-5, 6-2, after losing the first set 5-7.

In the quarterfinal, Mr. Sydorak handily defeated Andrew Charchalis in straight sets 6-0, 6-0, and in the semis he emerged victorious against Dennis Czorny, 6-1, 6-3.

En route to the final, Mr. Oryshkevych faced Bill Ritter, winning that quarterfinal match 3-6, 6-4, 6-0; in the semifinal he defeated Dr. George Charuk 6-3, 6-3.

In the women's division, it was a battle between two champions from 1995 as senior women's champ Anna Maria Shumsky dethroned last year's women's champ, Leda Sawchak-Kopach, 6-3, 6-2. In the senior women's group, Anna Shchupak defeated Iryna Badiak 6-3, 6-1. These women then proceeded to play against the top finishers in the women's division for the women's title.

The results in the other divisions were as follows:

Men 35 and over: Don Kopach defeated Adalbert Kolb of Uzhhorod 6-1, 6-3 after winning the semifinal against Roman Tkachuk 6-1, 6-0. In his semifinal match, Mr. Kolb defeated George Walchuk 6-0, 6-1.

Men 45 and over: Dr. Yaroslav Sydorak defended his title, winning 6-3, 6-0 against George Petrykewycz. In the semis, Dr. Sydorak defeated R. Shumsky 6-2, 6-0, while Mr. Petrykewycz eliminated many-time champion George Sawchak 6-4, 3-6, 6-2.

Men 55 and over: George Hrabec emerged as the new champion, having won over many-time champion Alexander Olynec 6-3, 6-2. Semifinal action saw Mr. Hrabec beat Ivan Rudavsky of Ivano-Frankivske 6-1, 7-6 (7-3), and Mr. Olynec defeat Ihor Chuma 6-0, 6-2.

Older girls: Stefa Petrytsky retained her title, winning her final match against Luba Voynov 6-1, 6-1, and her semifinal against Tamara Shobar 6-0, 6-0. Ms. Voynov eliminated Asya Fedun in the other semifinal.

Younger girls: Barbara Shumsky defeated Yevhenia Bulavka. En route Ms. Bulavka beat Christine Buhay 6-0, 6-0, while Ms. Shumsky eliminated Larysa Shchupak 6-0, 6-0.

Boys 12 and under: Stepan Shumsky earned the Shumsky family's third title at these national championships by winning over Volodymyr Shchupak 6-0, 6-0 and Yevhen Narodytsky 6-1, 6-1. Mr. Shchupak took second place by defeating Mr. Narodytsky.

Boys 14 and under: Andrij Salak took the title, and The Ukrainian Weekly trophy that comes with it, by defeating Damian Zayats and Svitozar Fokshey.

Boys 16 and under: Craig Pearson defeated Victor Sulzynsky 6-3, 6-0 and Yevhen Kotliarchuk 6-0, 6-0. Mr. Sulzynsky came in second.

Boys 18 and under: George Kihiczak beat Stepan Kolodiy 6-4, 6-1. Both earned their spots in the final match by defeating Marko Domaratsky and Oleksander Voynov.

In the consolation round (for those who had lost in the first rounds), George Wytanowycz won in the senior men's group; Oleh Zaputovych, men's division; and Zenia Bryzniak, girls' division.

The Mary Dushnyck Sportsmanship Trophy, presented annually to the tournament's most sportsmanlike competitor, this year went to Mr. Kolodiy of Maplewood, N.J.

Monetary awards were presented on behalf of John Hynansky by his son Michael to the 1996 champions and second place finishers as follows: men's division: $800 and $400; women, $600 and $300; boys and girls, $200 and $100.

The tournament was conducted by a committee comprising Mr. Sawchak, tourney director; Roman Rakoczy Sr., head judge; Zenon Snylyk, George Popel and Mr. Hrabec.

The 65 participants of the tennis tournament, plus 60 young athletes who competed in the concurrently held swim meet, participated in opening and closing ceremonies, at which time they were addressed by UNA President Ulana Diachuk, USCAK President Myron Stebelsky, KLK President George Popel and Mr. Rakoczy. During the ceremonies Omelan Twardowsky introduced two special guests: U.S. Olympian Ron Carnaugh and former Ukrainian Olympian Nadia Stavko, who now lives in the U.S.