JIMIN Woo and Ryan Choi claimed the mixed doubles title of the 2022 White Coconut Classic by outlasting David Kwon and Yukata Kadokura 4-6, 6-3, 10-8 Monday at American Memorial Park.
Woo and Choi moved through the single-elimination tournament unscathed.
In their first match, which was against Andy Kim and Noah Lee, both pairs played as equals as neither could gain the lead. However, in crunch time, Woo and Choi clinched the winning point to bag the first set, 7-6(3).
In the second set, Kim and Lee were simply overpowered by Woo and Choi who won 6-1.
Woo and Choi also made quick work of their next opponents, Dong Min Lee and Matthew Hwang, 6-2, 6-2, to advance to the quarterfinals.
Gerald Boyer and Siwoo Lee gave Woo and Choi a good scare in the first set of their match. But Woo and Choi maintained their composure and displayed excellent teamwork to snatch the lead and pull away en route to victory, 6-3.
Woo and Choi then rode their momentum in the second set by nearly silencing Boyer and Lee, 6-1.
In the semifinals, Woo and Choi defeated Jun Wang and Henry Yeom 6-3, 6-1 to secure a spot in the finals.
It was a grand finale as Woo and Choi had to fight through three sets against David Kwon and Yutaka Kadokura.
Kwon and Kadokura were also undefeated and had a powerful first set performance against Woo and Choi, triumphing 6-3.
But Woo and Choi made a comeback in the second set with a 7-5 tiebreak victory to force a third and final set.
Both teams fought well with several lead exchanges, but in the end, Woo and Choi scored the two consecutive points needed to win the set, 12-10, the match and the championship.
Jimin Woo extends for the return during a tennis match at American Memorial Park.
