Tennis: Wang Falls in Quarterfinals

San Marino senior Jonny Wang came just a set away from reaching the semifinals of the CIF-Southern Section Boys Individual Tennis Championships on Friday in Seal Beach, but Abraham Hewko of Palm Desert had his number and came from behind to advance winning, 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 6-3.

“He was pretty tough,” Wang said. “I didn’t feel like in the last few games my movement was working too well. I just lost my balance in the end.”

A few weeks ago, Wang faced the same opponent in the Ojai Tournament and came away with a win over Hewko in straight sets 7-5, 6-2. This time around, Hewko held his ground. After losing the first set, he added more velocity to his serves to hold off Wang from taking another set.

Hewko had to rally in the first set to at least earn a tiebreaker. After chasing points back and forth, Wang picked up three consecutive points during the tiebreaker and pulled off the 7-5 win to take the first set. Hewko in the second set dominated throughout, chasing out Wang with more powerful serves and running him out to the corners of the court. Hewko managed to win five of the first six games before pulling away with the 6-2 win.

“As the match went on, you would notice that the velocity in Wang’s serve was off,” Titans coach John Kuramoto said. “Give a lot of credit to Hewko. He was able to take my guy out of the game late. My guy just looked tired to finish things out.”

“I knew in that first set I had him even though I fell behind,” Hewko said. “Some of the hits and returns weren’t going my way. But I just picked up a lot of energy in the second set and it came through for me.”

In the Round of 16, Wang advanced in straight sets against Garrett Approux of Santa Barbara 6-2, 7-6 (7-3). Wang took control of the first set with his return serves and stellar play along the sides of the court. He lost some of his touch in the second set, but he was able to frustrate Approux during the tiebreaker scoring the final four points after a 3-3 tie.

For Wang, this marks the second consecutive trip to the quarterfinals. Although his high school tennis days are done, he earned a walk-on role at USC next fall.

“I am very excited for next year,” Wang said. “This is something I have been looking forward to for a while, and this summer will be intense trying to get ready. I am up for the challenge.”