Mike Belkin - Senior Amateur Tennis

Senior Amateur Tennis

As a 16-year-old, Belkin lost to Briton Roger Taylor in straight sets in the opening round of the 1961 U.S. Championships. He again lost in the first round at the 1962 U.S. Championship, this time in five sets, to American James Farrin. And the year after, for a third consecutive time, Belkin lost in the first round of the same tournament, this time in straight sets to Norman Berry.

In 1964, Belkin played Wimbledon Championship for the first time, and fared well given his lack of experience on grass. He defeated Claude De Gronckel in the first round, and Cliff Drysdale in the second, both in four sets, before falling to Bob Hewitt in the third, in straight sets. At the 1964 U.S. Championships later that summer, Belkin defeated Rodney Susman in the first round before falling to Cliff Richey in the second in five sets.

Having not competed in singles in any main draws of grand slam tournaments in 1965, Belkin played in two in 1966. At Roland Garros he lost in the first round, to Pancho Guzman in four sets. At Wimbledon, Belkin reached the second round. He defeated Australian Jim Moore in straight sets before falling to No. 4 seed Manuel Santana 0–6, 1–6, 2–6. In 1967 he again did not compete in a grand slam event.

At the 1968 Australian Championships, in addition to reaching the quarters in singles, a run which saw victories over one M. Marchment, Max Pettman, and Allan Stone, Belkin reached the second round in doubles partnering Geoff Pollard.

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