Rubin, Loeb Capture Launceston Singles Titles

February 13, 2017 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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Local New Yorkers Noah Rubin and Jamie Loeb were on the other side of the world this past week, and both of them are coming home with singles titles at the Launceston International over the weekend.

Rubin captured the second ATP Challenger title of his career by downing fellow American Mitchell Krueger 6-0, 6-1 in just 53 minutes.

The title comes on the heels of a positive Australian Open experience where he defeated Bjorn Fratangelo in the first round before hanging tough with eventual champion Roger Federer.

“It was a tough end to last year for me, with an injury and not playing so well,” said Rubin. “So having a great Australian Open and now this is a good start for 2017.”

With the win, Rubin jumps up 33 spots to #163 in the world.

Loeb had to save four match points in her semifinal match against Asia Muhammad before taking on fourth-seed Tamara Zidansek of Slovenia in the finals. The former North Carolina Tarheel star opened up a 4-1 lead in the opening set only to see Zidansek even the scoreline, but she regained her nerve to win the first set in a tiebreaker.

She then broke for a 5-3 lead in the second set and served it out to close out the 7-6, 6-3 victory and win the first 60K title of her career.

“It’s my first time winning a $60,000 tournament, my first time in Tasmania, I have had a lot of firsts in Launceston,” said Loeb. “This means so much. I’ve been on this side of the world since December 26, away from my family and coach, and it means a lot to be able to win this myself.”


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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