Carter also wins doubles title with partner Blatchford
The 2010 Birmingham Nationals concluded at White Oaks Resort &
Spa in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario on Sunday with two familiar names
taking home the titles. Lee Carter (Winnipeg) and Sarah Hunter (White
Rock, British Columbia) won the men’s and quad division championships
respectively, each adding to their already impressive number of national
trophies.
Carter became just the third Canadian male to win at least four
consecutive national titles joining Paul Johnson (1991-1998) and Colin
McKeage (2001-2004) in the record books. Carter defeated Yann Mathieu
(Trois-Rivieres, Quebec) in a close two-set match with a final score of
7-6(3), 6-3.
“Winning four titles in a row feels fantastic,” said Carter. “Yann
played well but I stuck with my gameplan. Having my coach Jared Connell
here and sharing it with him is really special. He has supported me
throughout my career and helped me so much with my success.”
In the quad singles division, Hunter claimed her ninth national
singles title with a 7-5, 6-2 win over Gary Luker. Hunter now owns the
record for most singles titles won with Johnson (men’s singles) and Yuka
Chokyu (women’s singles) already on the elite list.
“It’s really exciting to win another title,” said Hunter. “Gary
played so well and has really improved. I’m already looking forward to
the 2011 World Team Cup as the quad team has a real chance to get to the
podium.”
Carter not only claimed the singles title, but after a quick rest
period he went back on court with partner Corey Blatchford (Saskatoon)
to compete for the men's doubles championship. Carter and Blatchford won
their match against Philippe Bedard (Quebec) and Joel Dembe (Ontario)
in a hard-fought three sets with a score of 6-4, 1-6, 6-2. It is the
third consecutive year that the duo has captured the doubles title as a
tandem and the fourth straight doubles title for Carter who won in 2007
with Phil Rowe.
