Fairfield, October 11, 2024: Learner Tien (USA) advanced to the semifinals of the Taube/Kennedy-Grossman Solano Challenger after defeating Patrick Kypson (USA) 1-6, 6-3, 6-0 in a hard-fought battle on center court at Solano Community College on Friday.
Kypson (184) came on strong in the first set, utilizing a powerful serve and remarkable lobs to keep Tien on his toes. Tien (148), came back in the second set, converting important opportunities.
“I thought he was playing good tennis the first set, I had a few games in the first set that I obviously had some chances in but couldn’t really convert,” said Tien, 18.
Down 1-3 in the second set, Tien got a break point at 2-3 and said it made all the difference. “Getting the break back was huge, just to get a little weight off my shoulders being able to serve a little bit more free,” he said. “And I just picked up a lot of momentum after holding at a 1-3 and then breaking at 2-3. And after consolidating my break back at 4-3 I just felt like I had a lot of momentum.”
Tein will square off in the semifinals not before 1 p.m. on Saturday against Brandon Holt (206) (USA), who defeated Dmitry Popko (175) (KAZ) 6-2, 6-4. The other semifinal match on Saturday will follow and will pit Bernard Tomic (233) (AUS) against Tristan SchoolKate (169) (AUS), who each won their quarterfinal matches Friday. Tomic defeated Alexis Galarneau (249) (CAN 7-6(6), 1-6, 7-6(6); and Schoolkate, defeated Ethan Quinn (235) (USA) 6-0, 6(3-7, 7-6(3).
In Doubles action, the final championship match at 11 a.m. on Saturday will see Gabi Adrian Boitan (ROU) / Bruno Kuzuhara (USA) take on Ryan Seggerman (USA) / Patrik Trhac (USA). Boitan and Kuzuhara won a spot in the finals after defeating Gonzalo Oliveira (VEN) / Kelsey Stevenson (CAN) 6-4, 7-6(3). Seggerman and Trhac eared their spot by defeating Trey Hilderbrand (USA) / Alex Lawson (USA) 6-2, 7-5.
Comments