THE 2022 White Coconut Classic has kicked off at American Memorial Park with Nason Wessel, Yutaka Kadokura and Siwoo Lee securing their spots in the boy singles 14 semifinal round.
On Saturday, Wessel was the first to reach the semis after a long battle against Henry Yeom.
Wessel established control early with consistent attacks to stay on the offensive. Yeom fought back but could only put a dent on his opponent’s run as Wessel gradually worked his way to first set victory, 6-2.
However, in the second set, Yeom found his momentum. The action was filled with several lead exchanges but it was Yeom who delivered with a 7-5 victory.
Both players seemed evenly matched in the third and final set and had to play a super tiebreak. In the end, Wessel outlasted Yeom 10-6 to win the match and advance to the semifinals.
2 more semifinalists
Yutaka Kadokura was the second player to secure a semifinal spot by outperforming Stephen Yeom in two sets, 6-2, 6-2.
Siwoo Lee, for his part, took down Taher Shakir 6-1, 6-1 to be the third player to reach the semis.
One more slot will be filled by the victor of the match between Kiwon Lee and Henry Choi this Saturday.
In other matches
In the boys singles 12 division, Ryan Choi routed Colten Wallace 6-0. 6-0 and will face in the semifinals Ian Chae who eliminated Quido Jambor 6-0, 6-1.
Jihun Park triumphed over Landon Pudney 6-4, 6-0 and will go mano a mano with Matthew Hwang who defeated Eamon Tang 5-7, 7-6, 11-9.
In the boys singles 10 division, Michael Jeon and Cody Park are vying for the championship. Jeon advanced via a walkover against Daniel Kang while Park won his single-set match against Antonio Heras 6-1.
In the girls singles 14 division, Irin Chung slipped past Anne Lee 6-4, 6-2 to reach the semifinals. Hannah Chae also advanced after crushing Amy Park 6-0, 6-1.
The other semifinalists are Hoo Wang who thumped Jeongbin Park 6-0, 6-2, and Anna Kwon who moved forward via a walkover against Isa Nishitani.
In the girls singles 10, Stella Choi shut down Jenna Pascual 6-0 while Emma Lang cruised to a 6-1 win over Vivian Chung.
Siwoo Lee extends for the backhand return during a tennis match on Jan. 16, 2022 at American Memorial Park.
Nason Wessel reaches for the return during a 2021 White-Coconut Classic tennis match at American Memorial Park.
