Camden Riviere has regained his US Open title, winning for the fourteenth time, defeating John Lumley in straight sets in the final at the Racquet Club of Chicago on Wednesday.
The Racquet Club was treated to yet another chapter in the ongoing saga between the undisputed two best players in the world. Unusually for him, Camden Riviere did not step on court as the reigning champion — a small blemish in an otherwise flawless Open record in 13 years. Instead, that moniker fell to his opponent, John Lumley, who had won the title 13 months prior at the Westwood Country Club. Their only meeting in the intervening period had been the World Championship Challenge in Newport in September, which Riviere had won 7 sets to 1.
Riviere looked to stamp his authority on the match early, coming out all guns blazing. His feet were quick and his shots powerful. Lumley immediately sought to slow the game down, being more deliberate in his play. He tried to keep the rallies short but that was easier said than done against the greatest retriever the game has seen. Riviere staked out a high position on the court, dancing around to pick off volleys and backing his speed to chase down anything placed deep into the corners. Lumley could not find a way through, seemingly only able to find points with targets if he did manage to catch Riviere out of position. Although Lumley pushed Riviere through the first three games of the first set, Riviere’s lead quickly snowballed until he won the first set.
Lumley found some attacking vigour for the second set. His play was anchored on his tight railroads, restricting Riviere’s volley return of serve and allowing him to play into the rally. He backed up with his tight forcing, drawing enough errors on Riviere’s defensive volley to start to convert points into games. Lumley battled his way to 3-all in the second set, before Riviere pushed ahead for the next two games. Lumley looked like he might force the set into a decider after winning the 5/3 game easily, and forcing well in the 5/4 game, but Riviere held firm to take the set instead.
Despite the growing deficit, Lumley kept battling, taking the lead early in the third set. He was dictating more and more of the rallies, sending Riviere scampering around the court to chase balls down. He almost had a 4/2 lead, but Riviere struck several backhands into the winning gallery to even the scoreline off instead. Lumley continued to try and push ahead, but narrowly missed the execution on several of the key points, allowing Riviere to regain the lead. Riviere took the last three games of the match, celebrating with a muted fist-pump as he regained his crown.
Riviere had gracious words to Lumley at the presentations. “You have become such an amazing sportsman in so many ways both on and off the court, so I’m proud of you as a friend, as a fellow competitor. You’re just a good guy. You work hard. You do everything right and you’re a true showcase for what we want professionals to be. I know it didn’t go your way tonight but I’m looking forward to the many, many more finals here as we go forward.”
Riviere’s win marks his 14th US Open title and 35th overall Open title. Already the most successful player in the tournament’s history, it puts him one win behind Robert Fahey’s 15 Australian Opens as the most successful player at a single national Open.
The tournament concludes with the doubles final on Thursday, with both Riviere and Lumley in action again with their partners, Tim Chisholm and Steve Virgona respectively.
Match results:
5:30 PM: Camden Riviere (1) def John Lumley (2) 6/1 6/4 6/4
Order of play for Thursday (all times CDT):
5:30 PM: Camden Riviere & Tim Chisholm (1) vs John Lumley & Steve Virgona (2)
5:15 start time for doubles final, not 5:30