Father-son tennis event set

The 12th annual United States Tennis Assn. national father and son hardcourt doubles championships open today at the Newport Beach Tennis Club.

Tournament director Norma Veal said 34 teams are entered in this year’s event, which runs through Sunday.

There are 21 super senior teams (fathers age 70 and older) and 13 senior teams (fathers ages 60-69).

Among the teams participating are Corona del Mar resident Scott Davis and his father, Gordon Davis, who won their fifth tournament title in six years by defeating James and Paul Settles, 6-4, 7-5, in the final of the super seniors division last year. Scott and Gordon Davis are the No. 1 seed in the super seniors division.

In the seniors division, last year’s champions, Newport Beach resident Michael Carter and father Allan Carter, return to defend their title, but as the No. 8 seed.

The No. 1 seed in the seniors division is Rick and Dick Leach from Laguna Beach.

Rick Leach, a member of the Palisades Tennis Club, is a former USC standout who also plays professionally. He was acquired in the offseason by the Newport Beach Breakers of World Team Tennis.

The Breakers are coached by Dick Leach.

Dick Leach, the longtime USC men’s tennis coach, retired after the 2002 season with 535 career victories, four NCAA team titles, two NCAA singles champions, three NCAA doubles champs and seven Pac-10 titles during his tenure. He retired on top, with his USC team winning the NCAA championship.

Other local teams include Newport Beach residents Oscar and Fabian Matthews and Costa Mesa residents Bart and Devin Bowen.

Fabian Matthews was the No. 1 singles player for the Corona del Mar High boys’ team this season. He teamed with Dustin Hladek to win the CIF Southern Section doubles championship.

The tournament starts today at 10:30 a.m., continues Saturday with the quarterfinals and semifinals starting at 9 a.m. and concludes Sunday with the finals tentatively scheduled for 9 a.m.