University of North Carolina Athletics
Former Tar Heel Don Johnson Wins Second Straight ATP Tour Title
March 12, 2001 | Men's Tennis
March 12, 2001
Former University of North Carolina tennis stand-out Don Johnson won his second consecutive ATP Tour doubles title Sunday evening. Johnson teamed with Stanford graduate Jared Palmer to win the Franklin Templeton Tennis Classic in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Johnson and Palmer advanced to the finals by defeating Thomas Enqvist and Magnus Norman 6-1, 6-3 in the quarterfinals and the twin brother tandem of Mike and Bob Bryan 6-3, 6-3 in the semifinals. In the championship match Johnson and Palmer defeated Marcelo Rios (Chilli) and Sjeng Schalken (Netherlands) 7-6, 6-2. The victory netted the American duo $26,550 in prize money and 25 ATP points.
Last week Johnson teamed with Brazil's Gustavo Kuerton (ranked #1 in the world in singles) to win the Aiberto Mexicano Pegaso tournament in Acapulco, Mexico. Johnson and Kuerton defeated David Adams (South Africa) and Martin Garcia (Argentina) 7-6, 6-3. For the victory they earned $57,700 and 50 ATP points.
The most recent title was Johnson's 16th of his career. Johnson has played ATP tour events on a full-time basis for the last five years. The 2000 season was Johnson's most successful to date. Johnson teamed with South Africa's Piet Norval to win the ATP Tour World Doubles Championship in December and with the USA's Kimberly Po to capture the Wimbledon Mixed Doubles Championship in July. Johnson, 31, has won better than $1.5 million dollars in his professional career. He is a 1990 graduate of the University of North Carolina and currently serves the men's tennis program as a volunteer assistant coach.
March 11, 2001
Franklin Templeton Classic-Scottsdale, Ariz.
(1)Johnson/Palmer (USA) d. Rios(CHI)/Schalken(NED) 7-6(3), 6-2
March 4, 2001
Abierto Mexicano Pegaso-Acapulco, Mexico
Johnson(USA)/Kuerton(BRA) d. (1) Adams(RSA)/Garcia(ARG) 6-3, 7-6(5)
