Bedford Tennis Players Advance at US Open Playoffs

The conditions were far from ideal for tennis, but two Bedford residents made the most of it by winning their matches and moving one step closer to competing in this year’s US Open.

Competing in strong winds with temperatures barely reaching 50 degrees, junior players Sam Swank and John Brosens both advanced to the second round of the US Open Eastern Sectional Playoffs, where the winner will advance into a national event for the chance at a qualifying wild card into the US Open this summer. Swank came through a nearly three hour match against Marjan Kaljaj with a 7-6, 2-6, 4-0 (ret.) victory, while Brosens advanced with a 6-0, 6-2 win over Kyle Fisher.

 “The conditions played a huge factor,” said Swank, a sophomore at Fox Lane High School and the No. 3 ranked player in the East coast for the Boys 16-and-under division. “Neither of us were able to play our best, so it came down to a few points here and there.”

The first set of Swank’s match saw several momentum shifts before the 16-year-old prevailed in a tiebreaker. However, Swank says he let his guard down after taking a one set lead.

“I had a few game points at the beginning of the second set that I didn’t take advantage of, and all of a sudden I’m down 5-0,” said Swank.

Swank won the next two games before losing the second set, but carried the momentum into the decider. Mixing up the pace of his shots while beginning to attack the net with more frequency, Swank reeled off the first four games of the final set before Kaljaj retired with a hamstring injury.

“I was really surprised that he stopped,” said Swank, who trains at Grand Slam Tennis Club in Banksville. “It seemed like he was still stretching for balls towards the end of the match. It certainly wasn’t a visible injury.”

Brosen’s opening round match on Court 14 was far more straightforward. The senior at the Brunswick School in Greenwich, who is currently ranked among the top 30 junior players in the state, took advantage of his more inexperienced opponent by drawing him into numerous unforced errors.

Reeling off the first nine games of the match in succession, Brosens wrapped up the match with a forehand winner to advance into the second round.

“I signed on to play for the Men’s tennis team at Georgetown next fall, so I’m trying to play as many tournaments as possible to get ready for that,” said Brosens. “I’m just trying to approach this tournament match by match and not look too far ahead.”

Brosens played and won a second round match against Bradley Smith of Mineola, while Swank topped Kachinga Sinkala of Port Washington in his second round on Sunday.

Brosens won 6-1, 6-0 over Bradley Smith, Swank won 6-1, 1-2 (ret.— lower back injury) over Kachinga Sinkala. Tournament play will continue until April 22. To follow Swank and Brosen’s progress in the draw, visit the tournament drawsheet.