JUNE Yu won the Boys Singles 14 title of the Saipan International School Tennis Tournament after battling through three-set matches on Sunday at the American Memorial Park tennis court.
After getting a bye in the quarterfinals, Yu’s first opponent was Cody Shimizu who entered the first set as the aggressor. Thanks to his quick returns and powerful smashes, Shumizu notched a 5-3 win.
In the second set, however, it was Yu’s turn to unleash relentless attacks that eventually overwhelmed Shimizu who lost 3-5, forcing a third and final set.
Both players then gave it their all as they extended their match, but in the end, it was Yu who outlasted Shimizu 10-7 to secure a spot in the finals.
Wataru Kadokura experienced a similar journey as he first went up against Henry Choi in a three-set mano a mano. Kadokura won 5-3, 3-5, 15-13.
He then faced Nason Wessel in the quarterfinals. It was another hard-fought battle that Kadokura won 4-5(6), 4-2, 10-8 to set up a title match with June Yu.
In the first set, Kadokura’s power shut down June Yu 6-0. However, in the second set, Yu managed to adjust defensively and added his own twist of offensive assault to stun Kadokura 6-1 and force a third set.
It was a thrilling final clash with Yu claiming a narrow victory, 7-6, to win the BS14 title.
BS16
In the Boys Singles 16 division, Andrew Chung defeated Daniel Nam (4-2, 5-3) and Minseong Kim (4-1, 5-3) but lost to Sam Culp (4-5, 4-1, 2-10). Still, Chung earned a total of four points which placed him on top of the standings and gave him the championship.
BS12
Taking the BS12 title was Siwoo Lee who bested Eamon Tang 6-2, 6-1 in the finals while Jimin Woo won the Men’s Singles 5 title by besting Sam Ryu 6-2, 6-1.
June Yu attempts a forehand return during a tennis match at the American Memorial Park tennis court.
Photo by James F. Sablan Jr.
