Tennis Topics
Published: June 5, 2009, Richmond Tennis Association website
Parker gains boys' singles final; Hahn loses in three sets
by John Packett, RTA Staff Writer
The Central Region went one for four in singles today at the state Group AAA individual tennis championships in Fairfax.
Kyle Parker, Mills Godwin's No. 1 singles player, earned the right to play for the boys' title with a 6-2, 7-5 victory over Sidarth Balaji of Fairfax High in one of the semifinals.
Parker, a member of the Eagles' state championship squad, will meet Northern Region champion Justin Shane, who ousted Hunter Koontz of Deep Run 6-4, 6-1 in the other semifinal.
Parker and Shane will square off at 9 a.m. tomorrow at Jefferson District Park in Fairfax. Today's matches were played indoors because of rain.
Emily Hahn, the Central Region girls' champ from Douglas Freeman, wasn't as fortunate, losing to Kiersten Pappas of Loudoun Valley 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the semifinals. Pappas faces freshman Faby Chaillo of George Marshall in the final.
Yasmin Fotovat of Atlee was also on the losing side, bowing to Chaillo 6-1, 6-0 in the semis.
Hahn and her partner, Elena Rusu, edged Chaillo and Ana Dominguez of George Marshall 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 6-4 in the doubles semifinals and will play for the title tomorrow at 1 p.m.
Parker, bidding to become the first Central Region player to win the state crown since Brent Wilkins of Godwin in 2002, had lost to Balaji in the state quarterfinals last year but had beaten him in a Mid-Atlantic tournament recently at Stonehenge Golf and Country Club
"It definitely helped me, beating him at Stonehenge, because it had been a short amount of time from then to here," said Parker, playing in the title match for the first time.
"I think I had some confidence. He told me he didn't like the way I played, so I guess I used that to my advantage. He's got a big serve and a really big forehand. He tries to get you off the court with his serve and hits a lot of winners with his forehand.
"I like returning his serve, so it wasn't a problem today."
Parker has played Shane in the past, and, "I've had some trouble with him, but hopefully tomorrow's going to be different. He's gotten so much better. He hits a lot of lines and he hits a lot of winners. It's going to be a tough match."
In doubles, the Central Region was shut out of the boys final. Parker and Kevin McMillen lost to Balaji and Jason Luu 6-2, 1-6, 7-6 (7-3), while Koontz and Evan Charles of Deep Run were beaten by Shane and Daniel Santos 6-2, 6-4.
McDonald's Junior Series begins in 10 days at Raintree
The first of three McDonald's 2009 Junior Tennis Tournament Series events is fast approaching. In fact, the deadline for the satellite #1 June 15-19 at Raintree Swim and Racquet Club is Monday.
These tournaments are rated L5 and are open to boys and girls 12, 14, 16 and 18 in singles and doubles. Entry fees are $25 for RTA members and $35 for non-members. Eddie Parker is tourney director at Raintree.
The other satellite events will be: #2 June 22-26 at Burkwood Recreation Association (entry deadline June 15) and #3 July 6-10 at Hermitage CC (entry deadline June 30).
As part of the McDonald's Series, there will also be three novice tournaments for players who are not ranked in the Mid-Atlantic or state. It's singles only for boys and girls 10, 12, 14 and 16 who want to get their feet wet in competitive play.
Those tourneys are scheduled for July 1-4 at Midlothian Tennis Club, July 13-17 at Woodlake Swim and Racquet Club and July 27-31 at Salisbury CC. Entry fees are $20 for RTA members and $25 for non-members. Entry forms are available elsewhere on this web site.
#####