IN a game of teamwork, Simon Tang and Sam Ryu had the best chemistry as they secured the White Coconut Classic Mixed Doubles championship by defeating Min Seoung Kim and Sean Lee, 6-3, 6-4, Sunday at the American Memorial Park tennis court.
Tang and Ryu played defensively while smashing the ball back even before it could make its first bounce.
This aggressive approach worked in their favor as they were nearly unstoppable.
Kim struggled to execute proper serves and committed a handful of double faults, but with the help of Lee’s quick and powerful shots, the duo were able to regain their footing.
However, when it came down to results, it was Tang and Ryu who delivered in the end to win the first set, 6-3.
In the second set, Kim and Lee started to pick up the pace while protecting their end of the court with better reaction time.
Tang and Ryu gave up several lob returns in order to keep the play alive. This gave Lee the chance to strike and keep the game within reach.
But Tang and Ryu then took a safer approach and only struck hard when accuracy was certain. They soon claimed the second set and the championship, 6-4.
Before the title match, Tang and Ryu faced Yutaka Kadokura and John Bradley, winning 7-6, 6-1.
Their next opponents were Henry Yeom and Serin Chung who lost 4-6, 3-6.
The semifinal match was their toughest as Tang and Ryu barely escaped Yutaka Kadokura and Ryan Jimenez, 6-3, 1-6, 10-8.
U10 Singles
In the U10 Singles, Ryan Choi won the championship with a clean record, defeating Elizabeth Culp 6-2, Jin Ho Park 6-0, Quido Jambor 6-3, and Anna Lee 6-0.
Sam Ryu connects the backhand return during the Mixed Doubles championship of the White Coconut Classic at the American Memorial Park tennis court on Sunday.
Photo by James F. Sablan Jr.
