Austin Tennis Academy News

March 27, 2008

38 Compete in Spenco ATA Spring Open, Berber, Kumar and Spencer Champions

The Spenco ATA Spring Open played March 21st-23rd through out Austin, with Junior Academy Director Brian Notis serving as tournament director. On Sunday, the draws finished at ATA, allowing many ATA players the opportunity to compete at their home facility. Several ATA coaches were site directors on Saturday. 
 

In girls 10s, Katherine Spencer won three pro-set matches to win the tournament, beating Bailey Voss 8-3 in the final. Alexandra Young after losing the match tie-breaker in the first round to Bailey Voss 9-8(5), Ali bounced back to win the back-draw.

Girls 12s featured Meghan O’Malley beating Olivia Longoria 6-2, 6-2 to advance to the final back-draw round. In the final round, Meghan played Sarah Burrows very close, losing a 10-7 decision in the third set tie-breaker. Remi Immler and Aarti Bhat both advanced to the final round of girls 12s, playing two close sets in the final, Bhat taking the 12s title. Carli Knezevich won two main-draw rounds in the girls 12s qualified draw, beating Tamijean Fumagalli 6-3, 6-2 to advance to the semi-finals. Allie Burak made the finals, coming from behind to out-play Anna Bright 5-7, 6-3, 6-3 in the quarter-final round. In the final, Burak lost to Victoria Yu 6-4, 6-1. Savannah Brilliant lost two matches, falling narrowly to Jessica Vieira 7-5, 6-3. On the boys 12s side, Sanjit Kumar played four tie-breakers on Saturday, winning three. In the quarters, Sanjit edged Angel Palacios 7-6(3), 6-7(4), 7-6(1). Sanjit then upended Thomas Guerrero in a routinely close 7-6(7), 7-5 tie, earning finalist honors.

In the qualified 12s division, the picture of poise Jake Berber won every set he played, beating ATA teammate Conor O’Meara 6-3, 6-1 in the final. Conor advanced to the final by upending hard-hitting Josh Minor 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 in the semi-final round. Dylan Ritter advanced to the quarter-final round, falling close to Tristan Wise 7-6(4), 6-3. Payton Holden won a back-draw match to make the back-draw semi-finals. He forced Luke Lawson to a third set super-breaker, with Lawson emerging 13-11. Breck Spencer vanquished Joey Vatanadilok 7-5, 6-0 before falling to finalist O’Meara. Zane Ritter ran through the back-draw without dropping a set, dismissing Luke Lawson 6-1, 6-1 to claim the back-draw title.

Smrithi Hariharan won a three set match, beating Caitlin Burton 6-2, 0-6, 6-1 to make the girls 14s semi-final round. Jessica Clouse dominated her first round opponent and forced her semi-final opponent to play her best. Katelyn Whelan narrowly beat Clouse 7-5, 5-7, 6-4. Allie Carlisle played hard in two matches. Sydney Young rebounded from an early round loss, winning the back-draw without dropping a set. Maggie O’Meara won her first round, beating Monica Kestermann 6-0, 6-1 before falling close to Lillian Robinson 5-7, 6-1, 6-1. In boys 14s, Neel Kumar survived a first round charge from back-draw champion Nick Sargologos, then rolled through the draw, beating Karan Bindra 6-4, 6-1 in the final.

In boys 14s, Jaxon Immler won his first round 6-3, 6-1 over Rob Fuller while Austin Doyle won a great first round match over Ricardo Longoria 6-4, 5-7, 6-2. Garret Callen and Pierce Kelley each played hard in two matches. Eliot Blatt won the back-draw, beating Jacob Belanger 6-3 6-2 in the final. Eliot impressively won 3 matches over the weekend, employing an all-court style and improving competitive energy.

Hailey Posas won three matches, advancing to the final round of Girls 16s. Hailey fell to Amy Belanger 6-2, 3-6, 6-1. Claire Cahill beat Lisa Dennis in straight sets 6-1, 6-4 to advance to the semi-final round. Kate Cahill lost a close three-set match to Morgan Pilgrim 6-4, 4-6, 10-8.

Ryan Burak won three matches, beat Daniel Groenow 6-2, 6-1 to advance to a boys 16s final round match with Robbie McGowan. While McGowan emerged 6-0, 3-6, 6-4, Ryan competed well and stayed mentally focused after losing the first set. James Seward beat Andrew Williams 6-3, 6-1 and forced draw champion Robbie McGowan to three sets.

The Austin Tennis Academy staff is encouraged by the effort, focus and results of the ATA Spring Spenco Open. Congratulations to all 28 ATA players who competed. We look forward to more great focus and effort in next month’s sectional tournaments. Register now on the ATA Homepage or the USTA Texas Section website.

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