Kevin Johnson, left, and Mark Johnson won the Men’s Open Doubles division in the Columbus City Open on Sunday at Tipton Lakes Athletic Club.
Ted Schultz | The Republic
Mark and Kevin Johnson had won the senior doubles division at the Columbus City Open a couple of times, but had not played in the Men’s Open Doubles bracket.
So when a lack of entries for the senior division prevented the tournament from having a senior division this year, the Johnson brothers contemplated playing in the Open bracket.
“We’ve won the senior division twice, so we were like, ‘Hey, let’s challenge ourselves and play in the open, and maybe we can get a couple games off some of the younger kids,’” Kevin said. “Mark is in great shape. I just asked Mark and said, ‘Let’s take a chance. Let’s go do it.’”
Brothers Kevin, left, and Mark Johnson celebrate after winning the Men’s Open Doubles in the Columbus City Open on Sunday at Tipton Lakes Athletic Club.
Ted Schultz | The Republic
So Mark, 59, and Kevin, 54, went out and won three matches in three days to take the title. They finished it with a 3-6, 6-1, (10-6) victory against top-seeds Michael Schoumacher and Danny Frastaci on Sunday afternoon in a match that was moved indoors to Tipton Lakes Athletic Club because of rain.
“We were doubtful,” Mark said. “We played in the singles open, too, it definitely tested us. We were both in hot water baths and trying to get over soreness to do the doubles.”
Mark played basketball at North and started playing tennis with their dad, the late John Johnson, after graduating college. Kevin played basketball and two years of tennis at North and basketball at Creighton and Indiana State.
“The best part is playing with my brother,” Kevin said. “Our mom and dad really liked tennis and they were both were very involved with it.”
Michael Schoumacher, right, serves as doubles partner Danny Frastaci waits at the net during the Men’s Open Doubles final in the Columbus City Open on Sunday at Tipton Lakes Athletic Club.
Ted Schultz | The Republic
Meanwhile, Tyler Patterson of Carmel won the Men’s Open Singles division. He beat Chris Deaton of Columbus 7-5, 6-2 in the title match.
Tyler Patterson won the Men’s Open Singles final in the Columbus City Open on Sunday at Tipton Lakes Athletic Club.
Ted Schultz | The Republic
Chris Deaton prepares to serve during the Men’s Open Singles final in the Columbus City Open on Sunday at Tipton Lakes Athletic Club.
Ted Schultz | The Republic
Sophia Betancourt and Jenny Manns won the Women’s Open Doubles division with a 6-3, 7-5 victory against Avis McGovern and Kayla O’Neill.
Alejandro Ibarra Polonco defeated Niranjan Pallai 6-4, 6-1 to capture the Men’s 4.0 Singles division.
The Mixed Open Doubles final will take place at 5:30 a.m. Monday at North. Chris Deaton and Kennedy Deaton of Columbus will face Bryan Tucker of Columbus and Josie Gray of Morgantown.
