SOME of the island’s top young players emerged victorious in the Saipan International School Student Council Tennis Tournament held over the three-day weekend at American Memorial Park.
Jimin Woo, Eamon Tang, Siwoo Lee, and David Kwon earned separate singles titles while Hyejin Elliot and Hoo Wang topped their respective age divisions.
In the men’s open, Jimin Woo claimed the title convincingly. After getting a bye in the first round, Woo faced Jun Wang who went down in defeat, 3-6, 2-6.
Woo’s next opponent was Colin Ramsey. Both players took turns in claiming the lead several times during the first set but, in the end, Woo could not be stopped, winning 5-3.
Ramsey tried to stay alive in the second set, but he failed to break Woo’s defense who claimed victory, 4-1, and a slot in the finals.
On his toes
The other finalist, Morris Villanueva, fought his way to the top.
Against Sean Lee, Villanueva had to stay on his toes as both players were evenly matched.
Villanueva, however, managed to stay ahead and break the deuce to claim the first set, 7-5. The second set was no different as Lee came out strong. However, toward the last few exchanges, Villanueva unleashed back-to-back highlights to clinch the second set and the match, 6-4.
In the semifinals, Villanueva rode the momentum in his match against David Kwon. Villanueva snagged the opening set with ease 4-0 and dispatched his opponent in the next set, 4-1, to reach the finals.
Against Jimin Woo, Villanueva initially found himself in a lengthy back and forth action.
But Woo eventually found his rhythm and his mix of offensive returns smothered Villanueva who lost the first set, 2-6.
In the second set, Woo continued to assert his dominance, besting Villanueva 6-1 to claim the men’s open title.
Top spot
In the women’s open, Hyejin Elliot claimed the top spot by defeating Serin Chung.
The two players were evenly matched. Elliot drew first blood by winning the opening set 6-4. But Chung came back strong in the second set as her tireless efforts gave her a 7-5 win to force a third set.
Chung again gave it her all in the final set, but Elliot gradually pulled away en route to a 10-4 victory.
Intense
David Kwon, for his part, topped the boy’s 16&U division.
He and the other finalist, Cody Shimizu, entered the last round undefeated and both fought an intense title match from start to finish.
Shimizu seemed to have the upper hand as he bagged the first set 6-4.
But as soon as Kwon found his focus, he easily secured a second set victory, 6-2.
He never looked back as he controlled most of the third set action before taking down Shimizu 10-4.
Winners, too
In the boys and girls 14&U divisions, Henry Choi and Irin Chung notched the top spots.
In the boys division, Henry Choi had a very tough match but managed to hold the advantage through both sets to defeat Siwoo Lee 7-5, 7-6. In the girls division, Irin Chung performed steadily as she bested Hoo Wang 6-3, 6-3.
In the boys 12&U, Ian Chae powered past Eamon Tang in the finals 6-1, 6-4 to claim the title.
Tomorrow: the mixed doubles results.
Siwoo Lee
Hye Jin Elliot
Serin Chung
