2026 Western Open Results

The 2026 Western Open at the Detroit Racquet Club was one of the club's finest. Traditionally, the Western Open had been a staple of the mid-west, hosted at either the Racquet Club of Chicago or the Detroit Racquet Club. In more recent years, the Western Open has become part of the wider tournament rotation, with stops in Boston, Philadelphia and New York over the last decade. The Western returned to the mid-west in 2025 at the Racquet Club of Chicago and the Detroit Racquet Club was elated to host the Western in Detroit this spring.

The 2026 Western Open Singles and Doubles draws were the largest Detroit has seen since 2009 and included members and professionals from Montreal, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and Queens.

The traditional Thursday Stag had over 75 in attendance, including guests Mr. Bob Biggar and Club Professional, Ian Sly, of the Tavern Club of Cleveland. Mr. Biggar spoke on behalf of his historic club and its former Rackets court-turned Doubles Squash Court. Despite the many "boos" with regard to the sad fate of their Rackets Court, the attendance of Tavern Club members at a Western Open Stag harkened back to a time when the Western Open was truly an Open Tournament for Rackets players in America's Mid-West.

Singles Championship

Qualifying

Qualifying play was held from Monday through Thursday morning for those players that were already in town or lived locally. Mr. Theo Bond (DRC Fellow 2025) prevailed over Mr. Ward Detwiler (Detroit) to secure the A Qualifier; Mr. Alexander Loder (DRC Fellow 2026) beat Mr. Christian Allen (Detroit) to win the B Qualifier; Mr. Dillon Melvin (Detroit) won his match against Mr. Francois Joyet (Montreal) for the C Qualifier and Mr. Max Callon-Hine (Montreal Fellow 2026) took the final qualifying spot in a win over Mr. Drew Frenzel (Detroit). Sadly, this will be the last you will read in reference to these hearty qualifiers. With the exception of Mr. Theo Bond, they were all quickly removed from contention in the Round of 32.

Quarter Finals

By the quarterfinal stage, the Singles draw had settled into a series of commanding performances from four players who each imposed a distinct style on the match court.

No. 1 seed Will Hopton (Chicago) advanced with authority, defeating Spencer Yager (Philadelphia) 15–2, 15–9, using his experience and consistency to control nearly every exchange. On the adjoining side of the draw, Bertie Vallat (England) delivered one of the most decisive results of the round, overpowering Louis Winstanley (DRC Fellow 2010) 15–6, 15–0 with relentless pace to the front wall. 

In the lower half, Henry Smith (Philadelphia) moved past Christian Portz (Queens) 15–2, 15–1, while Tarquin Sotir (Boston) secured his semifinal place with a composed 15–8, 15–7 victory over W. Martin Kinsella (Chicago). 

Semi Finals

The semifinals raised the standard further. Mr. Hopton - and those watching in the gallery and online - were surprised to see the US Open Singles Champion drop the first game to Mr. Vallat. However, the undaunted Chicago Professional regrouped carried through and defeated Vallat in four games, 10–15, 15–8, 15–3, 15–2. In the second semifinal, Mr. Sotir responded after dropping the opening game to Smith 4-15, settling into rhythm and taking the next three 15–8, 15–8, 15–3 to prevail to the Singles Final. 

Western Open Singles Final (Johnson Cup)

Sunday’s final brought together two players in excellent form, and for one game it appeared we might be in for a repeat of his Semi-Final Match vs. Mr. Vallat. After an exhaustive first game, Mr. Hopton seemed to be ready to go the distance and edged the second game from Sotir. However, Sotir’s ability to absorb pressure and survive the athletic attrition that Mr. Hopton is so famous for, began to tilt the match. The momentum shifted decisively.

Sotir closed the championship match 15–10, 13–15, 15–8, 15–4, capturing the 2026 Western Open Singles title with a performance that grew stronger as the contest progressed. 

(L to R) Will Hopton (Singles Finalist), Joe Maiorana, Dillon Melvin & Tarquin Sotir (Singles Champion)

Doubles Championship

The Doubles draw delivered a similarly high standard, with partnerships tested immediately by the speed and tactical demands unique to championship doubles Racquets.

Quarter Finals

In quarterfinal play, Christian Portz and Peter Cipriano (New York) advanced with a sharp 15–3, 15–6 win, combining disciplined service patterns with clean finishing in front court exchanges. Tarquin Sotir and Spencer Yager also moved through efficiently, while the pairing of Bertie Vallat and Louis Winstanley emerged from the lower half alongside Will Hopton and W. Martin Kinsella. 

Semi Finals

The semifinals clarified the championship picture. Vallat and Winstanley surprised the entire field with a dominant performance over Hopton and Kinsella. The gallery was not please, as the Detroit Racquet Club was counting on an exorbitant bar bill from Mr. Winstanley that evening. Unfortunately, the 2010 DRC Fellow would have to prioritize play on the Sunday of a tournament weekend - something he was not prepared to do!

In the second semifinal, the packed gallery was witness to a full value five game match that saw Portz and Cipriano defeat Sotir and Yager on Saturday evening (15-9, 7-15, 15-9, 12-15, 15-10). Having won six US Amateur Doubles Championships as a doubles pair, Portz and Cipriano played to each other's strengths and capitalized on the opportunity to make it to the Western Open Doubles Final.

Western Open Doubles Final

The final paired two teams with contrasting styles: Portz and Cipriano’s structured pressure against Vallat and Winstanley’s aggressive shot-making. Portz and Cipriano proved steadier in the closing points of each game, winning 15–9, 15–12, 15–10 to secure the 2026 Western Open Doubles title.

(L to R) Dillon Melvin, Christian Portz & Peter Cipriano (Doubles Champions), Joe Maiorana and Mike Howe Jr. (DRC President)

In Closing

A hearty congratulations to Mr. Tarquin Sotir on his Western Open Singles title and Mr. Peter Cipriano and Mr. Christian Portz on their Western Open Doubles title. This tournament would not be possible without the organization of the Detroit Racquet Club's professional Mr. Steve Toseland and the team of fellows lead by Detroit's own Alexander R. Loder. Moreover, Mr. Glenn Rivers - the DRC's Club Manager - set a new standard on the quality of hospitality and culinary expertise at not one but TWO stag dinners over the course of the weekend. The Detroit Racquet Club is very fortunate to have such a great team and we are very grateful for all members of the racquets community that came to Detroit to participate in the Western Open.

Play!

Joe Maiorana (Tournament Co-Chair)

Bryan Melvin IV (Tournament Co-Chair)