Fudge, Haworth, Howells and Humberg Among the Big Winners at the APP Chicago Open

Chicago weather caused some issues on the APP Tour this weekend, but Zimmer BIOMET APP Chicago Tournament officials were able to go to Plan B and finish the tournament on schedule. 

Friday was an outdoor washout so there wasn't a streaming option, as play was brought indoors at an alternate venue.

Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday were all played at the iconic Cunniff Park in Highland Park, a suburb north of Chicago.

Will Howells earns a gold, silver and keeps getting better

Howells won gold with CJ Klinger over Jack Munro and Rob Nunnery in men’s for their second gold medal on the year. The final was VERY interesting, with Howells and Klinger winning 11-2, 11-8. 

That scoreline doesn’t sound too interesting, but it also doesn't tell the entire story. Nunnery and Munro got out to a 2-0 lead in game one and Howells/Klinger didn’t score on their first serve. Then Howells served. Despite two timeouts from the opposition, Howells went on an 11-0 run on his serve, winning the game, 11-2.

Even more intriguing, Munro/Nunnery went up 8-2 in game two, but Howells and Klinger went on ANOTHER run (9-0) to take the win, 11-8.

In mixed doubles, Howells and Yana Newell beat Bobbi Oshiro/Erik Lange and then Amanda Hendry/William Sobek before losing in the final to Eric Oncins/Mari Humberg.

Oncins is coming into his own – especially in mixed doubles – although it doesn’t hurt having Humberg by his side either.

The area where Howells has made the most dramatic improvement has been his play at the kitchen line. Six months ago, Howells would speed up in bad spots when he felt out of control or off balance.

What I saw this weekend was Will staying more in control, speeding up at opportune times, but also staying consistent and patient when he needed to. I expect a few more gold medals from Howells before the year is over.

Humberg wins a silver and gold

Mari Humberg is solidifying herself as the best woman on the left side on the APP Tour. She has the best backhand flick out of the air of any woman in the game. 

This weekend she showed she is adaptable, playing with a new partner in Eric Oncins. Humberg typically likes to play with lefties in mixed so she can play the left side. However, Mari was able to adjust and play the right so Eric could thrive on the left – putting the TEAM in the best position possible.

Chris Haworth continues singles domination

Haworth has won every APP Tour men’s singles event he has played in 2024. He has five gold medals this year and is far and away the best player in terms of points on tour. 

Haworth had to beat his good friend, Grayson Goldin, in the finals on Sunday. He did so in two VERY close games, 15-13 and 16-14. On his way to the finals, Haworth beat William Sobek, Zane Ford, and Eric Oncins.

Haworth is in the ELITE category of men’s singles players in the world. He hits his passing shots extremely accurately, is one of the quickest movers on tour (especially for a big man), and his mental toughness is second to none. I expect Haworth to continue to dominate in singles as his doubles game continues to progress.

Oshiro and Barr dominated on their way to gold

Bobbi Oshiro and Susannah Barr are fifth and sixth in terms of medals this year on the APP Tour. I believe this is the first time they've played together and they definitely didn’t disappoint. Here are their results this weekend as the No. 3 seed:

• R16 - (14) Ochoa/Klokotsky - 11-9, 11-4
• QF - (6)  Grambeau/Bohnert - 13-15, 11-3, 11-6
• Semi - (2) Braverman/Fudge - 11-4, 11-9
• Final - (4) Hendry/Humberg - 11-4, 11-6

Barr continues to add deceptive offense to her game. She hit some crazy speedups time and time again when neither I nor her opponents saw them coming. The most impressive win to me was in the semifinals. They looked in control from start to finish and although the second game was a close one, Barr and Oshiro never looked like they were in danger of losing the match.

I expect to see this duo more on the APP Tour – they play very well together.

Globetrotting doesn’t bother Megan Fudge

In the past few weeks, Megan Fudge has played (and won) the English Open and the Monsoon Championships 2.0 in Mumbai. She then jumped on a plane and played in Chicago. 

Jet leg? What’s that? 

Fudge won gold against Simone Jardim in women’s singles. She also won bronze in women’s doubles with Jill Braverman.

Megan continues to show she is one of the best overall players on the APP Tour, regardless of the event or the location.

Arielle Butler had a great weekend

Arielle Butler has never been on the medal stand on the APP Tour, but she's come very close. She finished fourth in women’s doubles with Camila Garcia Wright and fifth in mixed doubles with Richard Livornese Jr.

Arielle played college tennis at Harding University and has coached tennis at the collegiate level. She's also played in the Arizona Pickleball League but has been a mainstay on the APP Tour this year.

Butler and Garcia Wright took out the top-seeded Allison Harris and Simone Jardim, 12-10, 3-11, 11-5. In mixed doubles, Livornese and Butler upset Allison Harris and Andre Mick, 11-8, 11-2. 

As she continues to gain experience in these crucial moments, Butler seems like she is getting ready to take that next step in her development. Podiums are in her near future.

Full Results

Women’s singles

• 🥇Megan Fudge
• 🥈Simone Jardim
• 🥉Rachael James

Men’s singles

• 🥇Chris Haworth
• 🥈Grayson Goldin
• 🥉Jack Foster

Mixed doubles

• 🥇Mari Humberg/Eric Oncins
• 🥈Yana Newell/Will Howells
• 🥉CJ Klinger/Jill Braverman

Women’s doubles

• 🥇Susannah Barr/Bobbi Oshiro
• 🥈Amanda Hendry/Mari Humberg
• 🥉Jill Braverman/Megan Fudge

Men’s doubles

• 🥇CJ Klinger/Will Howells
• 🥈Jack Munro/Rob Nunnery
• 🥉Max Manthou/Erik Lange