Indian Harbour Beach’s Bender & Boca Raton’s Amey Capture USTA Florida “Bobby Curtis” Green Ball Section Championships

The 2022 10 and Under USTA Florida “Bobby Curtis” Green Ball Sectional Championships were held this past weekend at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, FL. USTA Florida’s Bobby Curtis tournaments are the most prestigious in the state and honor the late tennis great, Bobby Curtis, and his work to provide play opportunities for everyone in the junior space. 

In the Boys’ Draw, Indian Harbour Beach’s David Bender came out on top of a very loaded bracket. The number 1 seed cruised through his first three matches, as he didn’t drop a single game. In the semifinals, he matched up against the three seed, Andreas Paun (Hollywood), who was able to take two games off Bender, but it wouldn’t be enough in the end. 

The Championship match featured Bender against Patrick Paun (Hollywood). Paun had a stellar run to reach the finals. Much like Bender, Paun had only dropped two games in his previous four matches. The first set of the finals was back and forth with the two trading off games. However, Bender was able to find the final game to take the opening set 4-3. The second set saw the two continuing to battle, but Bender couldn’t be stopped, and won it 4-2, claiming the 10U Boys’ Bobby Curtis Green Ball Championship.  

Over in the Girls’ Draw, number 2 seed Brielle Amey, from Boca Raton came out victorious after powering through some tough opponents. Amey played great tennis through her first three matches, while only dropping 4 games across that span.  

In the semifinals, Amey matched against number 3 seed, Isla Amos (Melbourne). The two battled it out in the first set with them trading off the first few games. But, Amey finished strong taking the first set 4-2 and rode that momentum to an east 4-1 set two victory. This set up a showdown with the top seed, Brooke Martin (Ormond Beach), who just won a close match over the fourth seeded Sierra Mongerie (Tallahassee). Amey got things started in the first set with a 4-2 victory. Martin didn’t give up though and stormed back to win the second set 4-0. This forced a 7-point tiebreaker, where ultimately it was Amey who was able to gain a lead and win 7-3. 

Below is a list of the final placements, including the winners from the other brackets. 

Boys’ Draw Results 

1st Place: David Bender, Indian Harbour Beach | 2nd Place: Patrick Paun, Hollywood 

3rd Place: Andreas Paun, Hollywood | 4th Place: Gabriel Marino, Miami 

5th Place: Nestor Machado, Coral Gables | 6th Place: Quinn Canales, Orlando 

Additional Results  

Consolation Winner: Jameison Kelly, Wellington | Consolation Finalist: Ian Rivera, Orlando

North Bracket Winner: Alexander Ligman, Gainesville 

South Bracket Winner: Walker Amey, Boca Raton

NW Bracket Winner: Aahan Gupta, Tampa

SW Bracket Winner: Lorenzo Pirari, Miami Beach

SE Bracket Winner: Preston Renfrow, Winter Park

Girls’ Draw Results 

1st Place: Brielle Amey, Boca Raton | 2nd Place: Brooke Martin, Ormond Beach 

3rd Place: Isla Amos, Melbourne | 4th Place: Sierra Mongerie, Tallahassee 

5th Place: Kira Suleimanova, Sunny Isles Beach | 6th Place: Taylor Amberg, Naples 

Additional Results 

Consolation Winner: Delaney Guider, Apollo Beach | Consolation Finalist: Mia Lerma, Orlando 

North Bracket Winner: Piper Binkley, Orlando

South Bracket Winner: Mona Makarevic, Orlando

NW Bracket Winner: Quinn Kennedy, Coral Gables

SW Bracket Winner: Irina Incera, Lutz

SE Bracket Winner: Lyra Littler, Winter Park

Previously known as the USTA Florida Jr. State Closed, Florida’s top junior event was renamed to honor the legendary Florida junior tennis organizer Bobby Curtis in 2012. Curtis passed away in July 2021. 

For full results, go to playtennis.usta.com.