Belgian Open (tennis)

For the men's indoor tournament held in Brussels from 1981 to 1992, see Donnay Indoor Championships.
Belgian Open
Defunct tennis tournament
TourILTF (1913-1969) men
ILTF (1913-1972) women
ILTF Grand Prix Circuit (men)
WTA Tour (women)
Founded1897 (1897)
Abolished1981 (1981) (men)
2001 (2001) (women)
LocationBrussels
(1899-1981, 1988-89)
Knokke
(1987)
Waregem
(1992)
Liège
(1993)
Antwerp
(1999-2001)
CategoryTier IV (1993, 1999, 2000, 2002)
Tier V (1992, 2001)
SurfaceClay / outdoor

The Belgian Open or Belgian International was a tennis tournament founded in 1899 as a combined men's and women's clay court tennis tournament.[1]

The tournament was staged as a joint event until 1971 when the women's event was discontinued, the men's event continued under the brand name Belgian Open Championships, then later was known as the Belgian International Championships until 1981 when it was discontinued.[1] In 1987 the tournament was revived as a women's only event also known as the Benelux Open (for sponsorship reasons) that ran annually to 2001 when it was abolished.

History

Originally called the Belgian International Championships it first established in 1899.[1] The championships were not staged during World War I or World War II.[1] In the pre-open era the event was often reported in Belgian press as the Brussels International, or International of the tennis club in Brussels it was held at. It was an ILTF-sanctioned event from 1897 until 1969.[1] In 1968 the event was re branded as the Belgian Open Championships until 1970.[1] In 1971 the women's event was discontinued, however the men's event carried on under the new brand name Belgian Open through till 1981 when it was discontinued.[1] In 1970 the men's tournament part of the ILTF Independent Circuit for that year, then it joined the ILTF Grand Prix Circuit until 1972,[1] before going back on to the previous circuit until 1976.[1] Between 1977 and 1981 it was graded as Grand Prix event until the men's event ended.[1]

The women's original tournament was part of the 1970 1970 ILTF Women's Tennis Circuit, and the 1971 ILTF Women's Tennis Circuit when that event was ended. In 1987 the tournament was revived as a women's event as part of the Virginia Slims World Championship Series tennis over three different periods during 1987–2002. The competition took place in July during 1987–1989 and 2002, and in May during 1992–1993 and 1999–2001. 2000 and 2001 it was sponsored by Dutch clothing chain Mexx and renamed the Benelux Open. The competition was played on outdoor clay courts.

The tournament was a Tier V event in 1992 and 2001, and a Tier IV event in 1993, 1999, 2000 and 2002. Only one Belgian woman won the singles event; the then little-known Justine Henin, aged 16 in 1999. However, Sabine Appelmans, Kim Clijsters and Els Callens all won the doubles event.

Finals

Men's singles

(incomplete roll)
In 1930 two editions of the men's event were held one in June denoted as (*), the other in September denoted as (**).

Year Champions Runners-up Score
1899 Herbert Roper Barrett Paul de Borman 6–2, 6–0, 6–2[1]
1900 Herbert Roper Barrett (2) Paul de Borman 6–3, 6–3, 6–2[1]
1901 Herbert Roper Barrett (3) Willie Lemaire de Warzeé 6–1, 6–2, 6–4[1]
1902 Herbert Roper Barrett (4) Paul de Borman 6–3, 7–5, 7–5[1]
1903 Herbert Roper Barrett (5) Paul de Borman 6–4, 6–3, 3–6, 6–3[1]
1905 Paul de Borman Herbert Roper Barrett 4–6, 6–1, 8–6, 6–0[1]
1906 Herbert Roper Barrett (6) Willie Lemaire de Warzeé 6–2, 6–2, 6–4[1]
1910 Anthony Wilding Réginald Storms 6–0, 6–1, 4–3, rtd.[1]
1912 Georges Watson[2] Willie Lemaire de Warzeé 6–2, 6–1, 6–1[1]
1913 Paul de Borman (2) Georges Watson 6–3, 3–6, 1–6, 6–4, 6–3[1]
1914 Jean Washer Willie Lemaire de Warzeé 6–4, 6–3, 6–1[1]
1915-1919 Not held (due to World War I)
1920 Jean Washer (2) Gerard Scheurleer 6–0, 6–2, 6–3[1]
1921 Arthur Diemer Kool Amos Niven Wilder 6–1, 8–6, 6–2[1]
1925 Jean Washer (3) André Laloux 6–2, 6–0, 6–3[1]
1930 * Jean Borotra Henri Cochet 4–6, 6–3, 6–4, 4–6, 8–6[1]
1930 ** Franz Matejka Jean Lesueur 6–1, 6–2, 6–3[1]
1932 André Martin-Legeay Pierre Goldschmidt[3] 6–1, 7–5[1]
1934 André Lacroix Pierre Geelhand de Merxem 6–1, 6–3, 6–2[1]
1935 Fred Perry Hermann Artens 6–3, 9–7, 6–3[1]
1936 André Lacroix (2) Jack Van den Eynde 1–6, 6–2, 6–4[1]
1937 Patrick Tiberghien Hans van Swol 6–3, 6–4[4]
1940-1946 Not held (due to World War II)
1947 Jacques Peten Andre Najar 6–2, 6–4, 6–2[5]
1948 Frank Parker Budge Patty 6–1, 1–6, 3–6, 6–1, 6–2[6]
1949 Bernard Destremau Franjo Punčec 1–1, rtd.[7]
1950 Pierre Geelhand de Merxem Jacques Sanglier 6–3, 5–7, 6–1[8]
1951 Eric Sturgess Jaroslav Drobný 6–0, 6–1, 6–0[1]
1952 Ken McGregor Tony Trabert 6–4, 6–2, 5–7, 2–6, 6–4[1]
1954 Lorne Main Irvin Dorfman 6–2, 1–6, 6–3, 6–4[1]
1955 Mervyn Rose Philippe Washer 7–5, 6–1[9]
1956 Jacques Brichant Ulf Schmidt 6–3, 6–1[10]
1957 Jacques Brichant (2) Ladislav Legenstein 6–4, 6–2, 5–7, 2–6, 6–4[11]
1958 Jacques Brichant (3) Ulf Schmidt 6–2, 8–6[12]
1959 Jacques Brichant (4) Antonio Palafox 8–6, 6–2, 6–1[1]
1960 Billy Knight Jacques Brichant 9–7, 6–4[13]
1961 Jacques Brichant (5) Mario Llamas 6–3, 6–8, 6–4[14]
1962 Jacques Brichant (6) Ramanathan Krishnan 6–2, 6–4[15]
1963 Ramanathan Krishnan Nicola Pietrangeli 6–1, 1–6, 6–2[16]
1964 Michel Leclercq Alain Bresson[17] 6–3, 6–2, 6–4[1]
1965 Ken Fletcher José Edison Mandarino 11–9, 4–6, 6–2[1]
1966 Tom Okker Bob Carmichael 8–10, 6–3, 6–3[1]
1967 Tom Okker (2) Jim Moore 6–2, 6–2, 6–0[1]
1968 Štěpán Koudelka Steve Tidball[18] 1–6, 6–1, 6–2[1]
↓  Open Era  ↓
1969 Tom Okker (3) Željko Franulović 6–4, 1–6, 6–2, 6–2[1]
1970 Tom Okker (4) Ilie Năstase 6–3, 6–4, 0–6, 4–6, 6–4[1]
1971 Cliff Drysdale Ilie Năstase 6–0, 6–1, 7–5[1]
1972 Manuel Orantes Andrés Gimeno 6–4, 6–1, 2–6, 7–5[1]
1973-1976 Not held
1977 Harold Solomon Karl Meiler 7–5, 3–6, 2–6, 6–3, 6–4[1]
1978 Werner Zirngibl Ricardo Cano 1–6, 6–3, 6–4, 6–3[1]
1979 Balázs Taróczy Ivan Lendl 6–1, 1–6, 6–3[1]
1980 Peter McNamara Balázs Taróczy 7–6, 6–3, 6–0
1981 Marko Ostoja Ricardo Ycaza 4–6, 6–4, 7–5[1]

Men's doubles

Year Champions Runners-up Score
1971 Not finished
1972 Juan Gisbert Sr.
Manuel Orantes		 Patricio Cornejo
Jaime Fillol		 9–7, 6–3
1977 Not finished
1978 Jean-Louis Haillet
Antonio Zugarelli		 Onny Parun
Vladimír Zedník		 6–3, 4–6, 7–5
1979 Billy Martin
Peter McNamara		 Carlos Kirmayr
Balázs Taróczy		 5–7, 7–5, 6–4
1980 Steve Krulevitz
Thierry Stevaux		 Eric Fromm
Cary Leeds		 6–3, 7–5
1981 Ricardo Cano
Andrés Gómez		 Carlos Kirmayr
Cássio Motta		 6–2, 6–2

Women's singles

(incomplete roll)

Year Champion Runner-up Score
1897 Mlle van Lennep Mlle van Aken 6–1, 6–1
1899 Marie-Rose Trasenster Alice Blanpain Comblen 7–5, 4–6, 8–6
1900 Alice Blanpain Comblen Marie-Rose Trasenster 7–9, 7–5, 9–7
1901 Marie-Rose Trasenster (2) Mme Everaerts 6–2, 6–2
1902 Mildred Coles Mabel Squire divided title
1903 Jeanne Chazal Digna Mijer van Lennep 6–3, 6–0
1904[19] Vera Warden Ilse Seligman 6–3, 6–4
1905 Jeanne Chazal (2) Marie-Rose Trasenster 6–0, 7–5
1906 Marie Dufrénoy Jeanne Chazal 6–3, 2–6, 6–4
1907 Mildred Coles (2) Marie Dufrénoy 6–3, 11–9
1908 Marie Dufrénoy (2) Mildred Coles 4–6, 6–4, 7–5
1909 Mildred Coles (3) Geneviève de Mot 6–4, 6–3
1910 Jeanne Liebrechts Betty F.B. N. Quicke 2–6, 10–8, 6–2
1911 Anne de Borman Jeanne Liebrechts 6–4, 6–3
1912 Anne de Borman (2) Geneviève de Mot 6–4, 6–3
1913 Anne de Borman (3) Marguerite Leguerrier 6–3, 6–2
1914 Jeanne Liebrechts Anne de Borman 6–4, 6–4
1915-1919 Not held (due to World War I)
1920 Anne de Borman (4) Marie Storms 11–13, 6–4, 6–4
1921 Marie Storms Mlle de Spirlet 6–2, 6–0
1930 Simonne Mathieu Elsa McAlpin Haylock 1–6, 6–1, 8–6
1931 Susan Noel Marguerite du Monceau 6–2, 6–2
1932 Josane Sigart Lili de Alvarez 6–0, 2–6, 12–10
1934 Nelly Adamson Marguerite du Monceau 5–7, 6–0, 6–3
1935 Hilde Krahwinkel Sperling Simonne Mathieu 7–5, 6–3
1936 Sylvia Aubert Susan Noel 7–5, 6–4
1937 Nadine De Bary Sole 0–6, 6–4, 6–4[20]
1939 Yvonne Hoyaux Susan Noel 6–4, 3–6, 6–4
1940-1946 Not held (due to World War II)
1947 Myriam de Borman Josane de Meulemeester 12–10, 6–4[5]
1948[21] Pat Canning Todd Zsuzsa Körmöczy 6–2, 6–2
1949 Myriam de Borman Nel Hermsen 6–4, 6–1[7]
1950 Nel Hermsen Myrtil Dubois-Brunarius 6–3, 6–1[8]
1951 Barbara Scofield Davidson Christiane Mercelis 6–3, 6–0
1952 Angela Mortimer Patricia Harrison 6–3, 6–4
1954 Melita Ramirez Dorothy Watman Levine 6–3, 6–4
1955 Lea Pericoli Christiane Mercelis 6–3, 6–3[9]
1956 Unknown
1957 Heather Brewer-Segal Christiane Mercelis 3–6, 6–4, 6–1
1958 Dottie Head Knode Christiane Mercelis 6–1, 6–2
1959 Christiane Mercelis (2) Alice Heegewalt 6–2, 6–1
1960 Christiane Mercelis (3) Norma Marsh 4–6, 6–4, 6–3
1961 Christiane Mercelis (4) Carmen Hernandez-Coronado 6–2, 6–4
1962-1963 No international event held
1964 Christiane Mercelis (5) Jacqueline Kermina 6–1, 6–4
1965 Julie Heldman Gail Sherriff 9–7, 6–1
1966 Judy Tegart Gail Sherriff 6–4, 6–4
1967 Gail Sherriff Ingrid Loeys 4–6, 7–5, 6–1
1968 Judy Tegart (2) Gail Sherriff 6–3, 7–5
↓  Open Era  ↓
1969[22] Ann Haydon Jones Rosie Casals 6–4, 6–0
1970 Julie Heldman (2) Peaches Bartkowicz 6–1, 6–2
1971-1986 Not held
1987 Kathleen Horvath Bettina Bunge 6–1, 7–6
1988 Arantxa Sánchez Vicario Raffaella Reggi 6–0, 7–5
1989 Radka Zrubáková Mercedes Paz 7–6, 6–4
1990-1991 Not held
1992 Wiltrud Probst Meike Babel 6–2, 6–3
1993 Radka Bobková Karin Kschwendt 6–3, 4–6, 6–2
1994-1998 Not held
1999 Justine Henin Sarah Pitkowski 6–1, 6–2
2000 Amanda Coetzer Cristina Torrens Valero 4–6, 6–2, 6–3
2001 Barbara Rittner Klára Zakopalová 6–3, 6–2

Women's doubles

Year Champions Runners-up Score
1987 Bettina Bunge
Manuela Maleeva		 Kathleen Horvath
Marcella Mesker		 4–6, 6–4, 6–4
1988 Mercedes Paz
Tine Scheuer-Larsen		 Katerina Maleeva
Raffaella Reggi		 7–6, 6–1
1989 Manon Bollegraf
Mercedes Paz		 Carin Bakkum
Simone Schilder		 6–1, 6–2
1990-1991 Not held
1992 Manon Bollegraf
Caroline Vis		 Elena Brioukhovets
Petra Langrová		 6–4, 6–3
1993 Radka Bobková
María José Gaidano		 Ann Devries
Dominique Monami		 6–4, 2–6, 7–6
1994-98 Not held
1999 Laura Golarsa
Katarina Srebotnik		 Louise Pleming
Meghann Shaughnessy		 6–4, 6–2
2000 Sabine Appelmans
Kim Clijsters		 Jennifer Hopkins
Petra Rampre		 6–1, 6–1
2001 Els Callens
Virginia Ruano Pascual		 Kristie Boogert
Miriam Oremans		 6–3, 3–6, 6–4

See also

  • Diamond Games – women's tournament (2002–2008, 2015)
  • Category:National and multi-national tennis tournaments

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av "Tournaments:Belgian International Championships - Belgian Open". The Tennis Base. Madrid, Spain: Tennismem SL. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  2. ^ "Georges Watson : Overview". ATP Tour. ATP. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  3. ^ "Pierre Goldschmidt: Overview". ATP Tour. ATP. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  4. ^ "Tennis". Gazette de Charleroi. 19 May 1937. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Le tournoi du Léopold Club". Le Soir. 27 May 1947. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  6. ^ "Les championnats internationaux de Belgique". Le Soir. 7 June 1948. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Le tournois international". La Libre Belgique. 13 June 1949. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  8. ^ a b "Le tournois international du Racing". Le Soir. 12 June 1950. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  9. ^ a b "Nouvelles sportives". Courrier d'Afrique. 6 June 1955. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  10. ^ "Le tournois du Racing C. B." Le Soir. 28 May 1956. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  11. ^ "Le tournois du Racing C. B." Le Soir. 3 June 1957. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  12. ^ "L'Americaine Mrs. Knode et Jacky Brichant enlevent les eprouves de simple". Le Soir. 2 June 1958. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  13. ^ "Le tournois international". Le Soir. 29 May 1960. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  14. ^ "Le tournois international". Le Soir. 28 May 1961. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  15. ^ "Le tournois international du Beerschot". Le Soir. 15 July 1962. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  16. ^ "Le tournois international du Beerschot". Le Soir. 14 July 1963. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  17. ^ "Alain Bresson: Overview". ATP Tour. ATP. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  18. ^ "Steve Tidball: Overview". ATP Tour. ATP. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  19. ^ "WAS CHAMPION AT BRUSSELS". The Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California: Wikipedia Library - newspapers.com. 18 Sep 1904. p. 26. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  20. ^ "Tennis". La Nation Belge. 17 May 1937. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  21. ^ "American Players Win at Brussels". The Missoulian. Missoula, Montana: Wikipedia Library - newspapers.com. 7 Jun 1948. p. 5. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  22. ^ "Okker Wins Belgian Open Tennis Meet". Chicago Tribune. Chicago, Illinois: Wikipedia Library - newspapers.com. 19 May 1969. p. 71. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
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