The Onwentsia Club once again brought its signature buzz to Lake Forest as players and fans gathered for an action-packed weekend of professional doubles. The $25,000 event, supported by local favorites Chiefs Pub and Le Colonial Restaurant, showcased both world-class talent and the club’s vibrant squash community.
Top seeds John Russell and Kyle Martino lived up to their billing, navigating a draw filled with drama and momentum swings to capture the title. The fourth seeds, Andrew Muran and Thijs van der Pluijm, staged one of the weekend’s most memorable comebacks, rallying from two games down to defeat Henry Parkhurst and Jacob Bassil before pushing Russell and Martino to a five games in the semifinals.
The bottom half of the draw saw its share of upsets as well. Rising talents Yash Bhargava and Lucas Rousselet stunned second seeds Elroy Leong and Tor Christoffersen in a tight 3–1 match, then jumped out to a two-game lead over Clinton Leeuw and Jaymie Haycocks. The experienced third seeds showed their grit, storming back to win in five and book a spot in the final, leaving Bhargave/Rousselet disappointed at a missed opportunity.
The championship match was everything fans could hope for—long rallies, tight margins, and world-class shot-making. Russell and Martino surged ahead two games to love, but Leeuw and Haycocks refused to go quietly, taking the third and forcing a decider. In the fifth, Russell rediscovered his trademark rhythm and legendary ball striking, closing out the match in style.
For Russell, the victory carried special significance—his last appearance on the Onwentsia courts was in the 2015 World Championship final, where he also emerged victorious alongside Clive Leach. Nearly a decade later, he proved once again that his game remains as sharp as ever.