Bradley Shafran Advances In US Open Playoffs

For East Meadow native Bradley Shafran, the dream of playing in this year’s US Open is alive for another day.

Shafran is one of nearly 60 players competing in the mixed doubles draw of the US Open Eastern Section Playoffs, in which the winner advances to a national event for the chance at a wild card into the mixed doubles event at this year’s US Open. Teaming up with Hannah Camhi of Syosset, the pair were dominant in their opening round match, advancing with a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Catalina Brockland and Scott Hausthor.

“I haven’t played a tournament in years, but figured it was worth entering if I had a hotshot player to team up with,” said Shafran, a teaching pro at Bethpage Park Tennis Center who also has his own autographs and memorabilia business.  “As many tournaments as I’ve played throughout my life, none of them have ever had the chance to lead to the US Open, so there’s a different kind of pressure.”

Shafran, a former nationally ranked junior player who also played No. 1 doubles on the Men’s tennis team at George Washington University in 1994, used his finesse around the net to take charge of the rallies throughout the match. After losing the opening game, Shafran and Camhi reeled off 12 consecutive games to move into the quarterfinals.

“Even though the scoreline makes it look easy, a lot of the games went to deuce,” said Shafran. “With the sudden death scoring system they’re using when it gets to deuce, it becomes a total crapshoot.”

Shafran said he was introduced to Camhi while coaching her at Bethpage Park. Last fall, Camhi reached the finals of the high school state tennis championships.

“She hits the ball amazingly hard out there,” said Shafran. “All I have to do is knock off the easy shots, so it’s pretty sweet. She puts in the work and I get the glory part.”

The US Open National Playoffs are open to any player over the age of 14, and participants can be of any playing level. The winner of each sectional qualifying tournament will advance into a national tournament at Yale University from August 18-22. The winner of the national tournament will receive a wild card into the main draw of the mixed doubles event at the US Open, held from August 23-September 11.

Tournament play will continue until April 22. To follow Shafran and Camhi’s progress for the rest of the event, visit the tournament drawsheet.