Mardy Fish Pro Circuit: Miami star Dan Martin wins wild, windy championship

The gusty winds knocked over courtside chairs and blew hats off spectators.

And it made for some ugly tennis where balls flew out or stayed in pending the currents at the Vero Beach Tennis & Fitness Club in Timber Ridge.

After the full three sets and 2-plus hours, the University of Miami star Dan Martin became the last man standing on the green clay at the $15,000 Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation Tennis Championships.

After his gallant underdog opponent Jaycer Lyeons served for the match at 6-5, Martin had one last rally in him and seized the championship, 7-5, 1-6, 7-5 in this longstanding “Futures’’ event.

“It was probably one of the toughest conditions I’ve ever played in,’’ said Martin, a Romanian who was raised in Montreal. “There was no specific direction of the wind. It was difficult for both us. It wasn’t the prettiest tennis but we both had to scrap to put the ball on the court and get an opportunity for a short ball.’’

A gaggle of Miami alumni were in attendance, prompting the occasional cheer of “Go Canes."

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After playing four years at Dartmouth, Martin, 23, used his final Covid-19-extended year of eligibility to seek a masters at Miami for sports administration.

Ranked 26th in the NCAAs, Martin heads to the NCAA Tournament in singles on May 23.

“This is huge for me,’’ Martin said. ‘I came here with intention of getting a couple of matches of competition. With this kind of result, it gives me a lot of confidence and shows I belong in the top. Excited to take this momentum into the NCAAs.’’

Martin said he’s played against a few of the NCAA players in the Top 10 and doesn’t see a big gap.

“Playing the way I’m playing now, I can definitely do very well,’’ Martin said.

Despite the loss, Lyeons was satisfied about his Finals run after being the last player accepted into the main draw. He eliminated the top seed earlier in the week and survived a three-set, three-hour-20-minute marathon in Saturday’s semifinals.

He didn’t blame weariness late in the third. On match point, Martin’s forehand caught a gust, fluttered like a duck and clipped the outside of the line upon landing.

“The winds were playing tricks with us the whole match, but the biggest thing was momentum swings,’’ said Lyeons. “Both of us did a good job of holding momentum but unfortunately I lost it at 5-3. He did a great job at closing it out.’’

Lyeons, 22, quit competitive tennis after graduating from Tyler Community College in 2021 but made a comeback 8 months ago and moved from Houston to Miami.

A Finals berth was satisfying. “It was great to get this experience and build off,’’ Lyeons said.

After Martin gets his masters this summer, it’s all tennis.

“After I graduate, I will play as many tournaments as possible,’’ said Martin, who got his undergraduate degree in economics. “I’m considering going professional as my main job. Over the next couple of years if things don’t work out, I’ll have solid degrees.’’

Martin rallied from a break down to take the first set, breaking at 5-5, then holding at love for a 7-5 win after which he shouted “Allez’’. That means “Let’s Go On” in French.

However, Martin went backward, had trouble keeping the ball on the court in the second set and Lyeons romped in winning the first five games. The third set, Martin fell a break down early but dug himself out.

“With him 5-4 serving, it was my last opportunity to stay in the match,’’ Martin said. “I gave it my all, put him under pressure and got the break.’’

Martin will have his name engraved on the “Mike Rahaley Memorial Trophy” named for long-time  Vero Beach tennis pro who started the Futures event in Vero Beach in 1995. It is the lowest rung on the pro circuit – similar to Single A baseball.

Some past Vero competitors have gone on to success in the big time. Andy Roddick, the last American man to win the US Open in 2003, played his first pro event here in 1999 and got bounced in the first round.

Current young American stars such as last year’s US Open semifinalist Frances Tiafoe, this year’s Australian semifinalist Tommy Paul and the rising star out of the University of Florida, Ben Shelton, have competed, as has young Canadian stud, Denis Shapovalov.

Other noted Vero alumni from overseas include Thomas Johansson (Sweden), Nicolas Massu (Chile), Kyle Edmund (England), Magnus Norman (Sweden) ,Tim Henman (England), Milos Raonic Canada),

This year’s tournament made history in having the third-oldest player ever in a pro tournament in doubles player James Bragg at age 53. The Vero Beach resident won the wildcard tournament to gain entry with partner, Sea Oaks teaching pro Ching Wang. They lost in straight sets in the first round Saturday.

“I could take a few things away from it on how I can prepare for another one,’’ said Bragg, who turns 54 in August and will shoot for a wildcard berth here in 2024. “My groundstrokes I thought I could hang with them. They were ripping some pretty heavy balls at me at the net.’’

Founded in 2007, the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation supports over 2,400 children in 20 schools and other community organizations in Indian River County by funding after-school enrichment programs.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Mardy Fish Pro Circuit: Miami star Dan Martin wins wild, windy final