Former UClA Star Mackenzie McDonald Beats Virginia Freshman Carl Soderlund To Win Southern California Pro Futures Tournament
Mackenzie McDonald captured his second career USTA Pro Circuit Futures title with a solid 6-4, 6-0 win over University of Virginia freshman Carl Soderlund on Sunday at the Southern California Men’s Pro Futures tournament at USC.
Down 1-4 in the first set, the 21-year-old No. 5-seeded McDonald rallied off 11 consecutive games to put an exclamation point on the win, his first at a $25,000 event and good for a $3,200 prize-money check and 27 valuable ATP points.
From left to right: USC men’s coach Peter Smith, Carl Soderlund, Mackenzie McDonald, tournament director Phil Siordia and USC men’s assistant coach Kris Kwinta.
“I was a little bit surprised at the start to be down 1-4, but it was only one break,” McDonald said. “And I kind of gave that one away. He was serving at 4-2 and I just felt like I just had to stay in every point and I did and got the break back.”
McDonald added: “He was fighting hard but then he was missing a lot. He was going for broke, and I started ripping my forehand.”
Soderlund, who received $2,120 and 15 points, said he wasn’t hurt or feeling fatigued, and that McDonald just stepped up his game. “I was always under pressure and didn’t have time to play my game,” he said. “It rushed away pretty fast. Of course I could have played better, but it was good of him making me feel uncomfortable out there.”
Both players will now turn their attention to the second Pro Futures event in Long Beach, just 15 miles southwest of USC.
McDonald, who was coached all week by his USTA Coach Brad Stine, said he has matured a lot in the past six months, and that he didn’t think about the dollar difference in the checks for winner and runner-up.
“Nah, I don’t think about it,” he said, looking down at his trophy. “I love trophies. I just wanted the trophy. I’m a collector of them. I wanted to play well this morning. You don’t get to play finals every week so it’s nice to come out and play well. I didn’t want to put any added pressure on myself though. My job is to now win matches, so I’m pretty happy to get my second one.”
Final Singles Score
Mackenzie McDonald, U.S. (5), def. Carl Soderlund, Sweden (8), 6-4, 6-0
Final Doubles Score
Yannick Hanfmann, Germany / Roberto Quiroz, Ecuador, def. Luke Bambridge, Great Britain / Joe Salisbury, Great Britain (1), 3-6, 6-4, 10-8