Marina Elena Ubina & Kayley Leonard upset the top two seeds on their way to winning their partnership’s maiden title at the NYC Open—the Women’s Pro Doubles Tour season opener at the University Club, October 22-24.
Ubina & Leonard, the tournament’s three seeds, opened up their tournament with a 3-1 win over Line Hansen & Natalie Grainger to set up a semifinal against two seeds Meredeth Quick & Katie Tutrone. After dropping the first game in the semis, Ubina & Leonard rebounded to reach the final 6-15, 15-11, 15-11, 15-13.
In the top half of the draw, top seeds Elani & Lume Landman progressed to the final without dropping a game, including a 15-13, 15-12, 15-11 semifinal win over four seeds Suzie Perriepoint & Amanda Sobhy.
A dramatic Sunday morning final saw Ubina & Leonard take the first game on simultaneous game ball 15-14, then going behind 2-1 in games. Ubina & Leonard then edged out the final two games to clinch the title 15-11, 15-10.
While the title marks Ubina & Leonard’s first together as partners, Leonard celebrates her second professional title after winning the 2019 Briggs Cup with Pierreont.
“So happy to win that long five-game match and to have the season back in play,” Leonard said. “First tournament back at the U Club in New York, my home turf. Suzie ran a great tournament and very happy to pull it out with Maria Elena who is a childhood friend—we went to Greenwich Academy together and competed through juniors and college together. We were really happy to just be back on court, we had some great matches this weekend and we’re looking forward to the rest of the season.”
The tour resumes play, November 12-13, with the Philadelphia Pro Doubles Open at the Arlen Specter Center in Philadelphia.