LaPorte returns to win championship
Published 12:34 pm Sunday, July 22, 2012
Former high school and college standout Brian LaPorte returned to play in his first Dowagiac City Tennis Tournament since winning a championship in 1996. LaPorte earned his third mens singles title with a straight-set victory over Marc Tryrakowski Sunday. (Daily News Photo/SCOTT NOVAK)
It’s been 16 years since Brian LaPorte competed in the Dowagiac City Tennis Tournament.
The location and the courts may have changed over that period of time, but the result was the same.
LaPorte won mens singles championships in 1993 and again in 1996. Sunday morning at the Dowagiac Middle School courts he added his third championship with a straight set victory over Marc Tyrakowski.
Tyrkowski was playing in his second straight finals.
LaPorte took command early displaying a wide range of shots that kept Tyrakowski on the defensive.
He led 3-0 before Tyrakowski finally got on the board, but took the first set 6-2.
Tyrakowski kept it close early in the second set, trailing just 3-2 before LaPorte won the final three games to earn the championship with a 6-2 victory.
“I always enjoy coming back and playing with people I played against in high school,” LaPorte said. “I wish I could do it more. This just happen to be one of the few weekends I was able to get away and come home. It just happened to be the same time as the tournament.
“I felt like I played alright. The weather was good so there were no real conditions to battle. It’s always fun playing people I haven’t played for 15 years or the younger kids I haven’t played before. It’s always fun to see how the young guys around here are playing.”
LaPorte is the owner of the Tennis Connection in Grand Rapids.
He reached the finals by defeating Jim Darr 6-1 and 6-3, along with defending champion Dave Negron in the semifinals, 6-2 and 6-2.
Tyrakowski made it back to the final match with wins over Michael Robbins (7-5, 6-3) and Larry Watson in the semifinals (6-3, 7-5).
Dowagiac City Tennis Tournament
Mens Singles
David Brogen d. Ethan Dussell 2-6, 7-6(7-5), 6-4
Dave Negron d. David Brogen 6-2, 6-2
Brian LaPorte d. Jim Darr 6-1, 6-3
Larry Watson d. Sonny Swartz 6-1, 6-2
Marc Tyrakowski d. Michael Robbins 7-5, 6-3
Semifinals
Brian LaPorte d. Dave Negron 6-2, 6-2
Marc Tyrakowski d. Larry Watson 6-3, 7-5
Championship match
Brian LaPorte d. Marc Tyrakowski 6-2, 6-2
