Cleveland, OH, WPH Press, 12/12/19- Brooklyn Ohio’s L.A. Fitness played host to the 2019 Cleveland Open on the second weekend in December, featuring many Ohio and Pennsylvania’s top stars competing in Cleveland’s premiere and historic handball event.
Former prodigy Tyler Stevens returned to tournament competition and advanced to the final in the upper bracket, soundly defeating Cleveland’s Carlos Vazquez in the semifinals. Tournament director and aspiring R48 pro Joe Frankenfield met Stevens in the final, overcoming Pittsburgh’s #4 “Big Game” Kirk Rys in the bottom bracket semifinals.
Holy Toledo’s Stevens dominated game one of the final, only to drop game two against the surging 6’6 southpaw Frankenfield. Stevens relied on his methodical attack in the tiebreaker, lob serving to towering lefty’s right and taking advantage of his offensive opportunities to take control of the final frame, ultimately pulling away to clinch the title.
“The tournament went well,” stated tournament director Frankenfield. “We had a nice turnout and good competition. I played pretty well (in the final) but Tyler was tough. I’ll be in Montana (Red Death R48 IX) this January, so hopefully I’ll be able to step it up then.”
“The final was a great match,” stated Rick Stevens. “Joey did a wonderful job putting the tournament together. Thanks Joey.”
Semifinals
Stevens def Vazquez 15-2, 15-2
Frankenfield def Rys 15-8, 15-8
Final: Stevens def Frankenfield 15-2, 8-15, 11-5
Pittsburgh’s Mathieu “TTP” Pelletier picked up his first title in enemy territory, dominating the Open Playoffs (dropdown).
Thank you to 2019 Cleveland Open tournament directors and Midwest handball ambassadors Joe Frankenfield and Mario Dolciato for hosting a great event in the Rock and Roll Capital of the World. Thank you to Team Cleveland Handball founder and videographer Art Haffner for the great coverage from Cleveland.
Watch matches from the 2019 Cleveland Open on Team Cleveland Handball’s Facebook page HERE
Follow Team Cleveland Handball HERE
Follow all of the latest handball news from the WPH HERE
Follow all of the latest news from JR WPH HERE
2019/20 Race 4 Eight IX Schedule HERE
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer