Tennis Topics
Published: May 19 2009, Richmond Tennis Association website
Hahn's decision on school appears to be right one
by John Packett, RTA Staff Writer
Right up to the last minute, there was considerable debate about whether Emily Hahn would play high school tennis this season.
Hahn is one of the area's top junior prospects -- in fact, the best of the local girls -- and there was concern about how much her game would improve -- or deteriorate -- by competing against a mediocre field of high school players all spring.
But, in the end, the freshman decided to attend Douglas Freeman High, and everyone -- including Hahn -- seems happy with the move.
Hahn, who celebrated her 15th birthday yesterday, continued to dominate the high school scene with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Angelica Esteves of Cosby High in the semifinals of the Central Region individual tournament today at Mills Godwin.
The victory over Esteves was typical of her matches during the season, lasting less than an hour without the loss of many games.
"This hurts Emily's game, because she's not being pushed," said Pat Anderson, a local pro who works with Hahn. "But, it's been great for her socially. She's made friends and winning looks great at school. And having Bridget Bruner there has been great for her."
Bruner, a four-time city champion and runner-up in this year's event last week, is an assistant coach for the Rebels.
"Larry Parpart [head coach] has been great, too, in working with us," Anderson said. "He'll let me hit with Emily some days or I'll let Shyam [Venkatasubramanian, 13-year-old phenom] come over and hit with her and Elena [Rusu, Freeman's No. 2 player]."
All of that additional help has made sure that Hahn's game hasn't suffered much, as she proved in her romp over Esteves.
"I practice a lot and I play a lot of tournaments on the weekends," said Hahn. "USTA tournaments. Every once in a while, I'll go to a nationals."
Hahn has a simple formula for success: "I just want to try to be consistent and put it away when I can. Not really go for everything."
She'll use that strategy tomorrow when she faces Yasmin Fotovat, Atlee's No. 1 player, in the final at 1:30 p.m. Fotovat recovered from an uncomfortable feeling in the second set to defeat Christine Abbott of Midlothian 6-2, 5-7, 6-1.
"She's very good," said Parpart. "Very mature for her age. Very focused on what she's doing and a great competitor. She's also a very nice young lady. Good student-athlete and a good representative of Douglas Freeman."
By virtue of winning, both Hahn and Fotovat qualified for the state Group AAA tournament early next month in Newport News.
Hahn played both soccer and tennis seriously until about a year ago, before giving up soccer and concentrating on hitting the little yellow ball.
"That was really hard because I really like soccer, too," Hahn said. "But I just wanted to focus more on tennis and school. I'm really glad I made the decision. I like the part of being on the court by yourself and just depending on what you do."
Hahn, ranked No. 8 in the Mid-Atlantic region, will be heading to France this summer for a month of training, and there's a possibility she might not return to Freeman in the fall for another high-school season. It all depends on how much her game improves in the months ahead.
"She's the real deal," said Anderson. "If she can keep it up ... we'll see happens."
Fotovat asked for a medical timeout midway through the second set, trailing 4-3.
"In the second set, I was starting to shake a little," Fotovat said. "I was freezing, even though I was sweating. I guess it was due to the heat. But I got some liquid and some food, and I started feeling better in the third set."
Fotovat wound up losing the second set but, after a 10-minute break, the Atlee junior had no trouble finishing off Abbott in the third. Her big forehand delivered enough outright winners or forced Abbott into making a mistake.
TODAY'S RESULTS
Central Region Tennis
Girls (at Mills Godwin)
Singles
Semifinals: Emily Hahn (Douglas Freeman) d. Angelica Esteves (Cosby) 6-0, 6-1; Yasmin Fotovat (Atlee) d. Christine Abbott (Midlothian) 6-2, 5-7, 6-1.
Doubles
Semifinals: Hahn-Elena Rusu (Douglas Freeman) d. Rebekah Ferguson-Christina Shifflett (Atlee) 6-1, 6-3; Fotovat-Shao-Ching Tu (Atlee) d. Nicole Parker-Meg Kristofak (Mills Godwin) 6-0, 6-7, 6-4. Final at 4 p.m.