Wheelchair Tennis Tournament Begins

IRVINE — The 16th U.S. Open Wheelchair Tennis Championships are underway at The Racquet Club of Irvine with more than 300 wheelchair athletes representing 18 different nations participating.

Monday’s play featured first-round singles in the men’s Open Division, as well as in the Men’s A, B and C divisions. Women’s singles and men’s and women’s doubles begin today.

Steve Welch of the University of Texas Arlington, the world’s No. 1-ranked wheelchair tennis player, opened defense of the men’s open title Monday with a 6-0, 6-1 victory over England’s Simon Hatt.