WEST HAVEN, Conn. – Nolan Paige probably doesn’t have a very promising future in the fortune-telling business.
On the tennis court, however, Paige looks to be on his way to great things.
Prior to the start of last week’s New England sectional qualifier of the US Open National Playoffs, Paige predicted that the tournament’s eventual winner would be a player who recently wrapped up a college career at a top-level program.
As it turned out, Paige faced one such player in the championship match and the 16-year-old Fairfield resident defeated former Yale University star Brandon Wai.
Paige took the first set from the former All-Ivy League player, 6-2, then held on for a 7-5 win in the second set.
"I think this was a great tournament," Paige said. "I had some awesome matches and was tested throughout. Usually, the guys who can beat me are the guys who get the ball by me and Brandon had the ability to do that. I think this will help me in the Junior tournaments, because I don't think I'll see a player there who hits a ball as well as Brandon."
Nolan Paige
Youth was also served in the women’s tournament, where 17-year-old Unionville, Conn. resident Rachel Kahan emerged victorious and one step closer to playing in the US Open.
Kahan topped Wakefield, R.I.’s Alex Geremia, 6-1, 6-0, in the championship match.
"I really went into (the tournament) just looking to play against some quality competition and didn’t expect too much," Kahan said. "I was playing pretty well heading into it, so I thought I could win some matches. It was great to end up winning, and it was just a lot fun to be a part of."
Kahan, who has been home-schooled since her freshman year of high school, will play tennis at Duke University in the fall.
"It was a challenging tournament," she said. "These events are always tough because of the level of competition. This was a great opportunity and I’m glad that I was able to play well enough to win."
Rachel Kahan
The US Open National Playoffs began with 16 sectional qualifying tournaments held throughout the country from April through June. The national playoffs are open to any tennis player over the age of 14.
The men’s and women’s champions from each of the sectional qualifying tournaments advance to the US Open National Playoffs – Men’s and Women’s Championships, which will be held in conjunction with Olympus US Open Series tournaments this summer. The winner will earn a wildcard entry into the US open field.
Neither Paige nor Kahan are strangers to winning championships in New England, as each are among the most dominant junior players in the section.
Paige, who attends the Hopkins School in New Haven, is ranked No. 1 in New England 16s both in combined standings (singles and doubles) and doubles standings. Nationally, he is ranked second in the 16s combined standings, and fourth in the 16s doubles standings. He has had impressive success at national tournaments. Paige won a silver ball as a finalist in the 16s singles at The Easter Bowl USTA National Spring Championships in April, and, with partner Chase Curry, won the finals and a gold ball at the 16s USTA Winter National Championships in December 2009.
Kahan has played a schedule of adult open Sectional tournaments and junior National and ITF tournaments during the past year. Rachel is ranked No. 1 in the Women’s Open singles standings in New England, and is Nationally ranked No. 176 in the 18s combined standings.
Paige will be unable to play in the Men’s US Open National Playoffs Championship July 22-25 in Atlanta because it falls on the same dates as the USTA National Claycourts. Kahan will play in the Women’s Championship July 29-Aug. 1 at Stanford University in Palo Alto, Calif.
For more information on the US Open National Playoffs, click here.