The unseeded status did not faze Justin Boulais.
In the Beltway Battle Boys’ Final yesterday at the Tennis Center at College Park, JTCC’s Boulais defeated No. 2 seed David Sun, 6-0, 6-3.
The lefty was the clear aggressor in the first set. He was adamant in taking balls early and stepping in on the returns of Sun’s first and second serves. But the score was not indicative of the match flow. The two were consistently embroiled in lengthy rallies. Boulais’ ability to paint the lines at severe angles tipped the scales in his favor.
In the second frame, Sun broke through momentarily to take a 3-2 lead. A quick 40-love hold by Boulais evened the score. The seventh game turned out to be the critical juncture. On the third ad-out and break opportunity, Boulais flung a well-timed lob with Sun in prime net position. Sun backpedaled and set himself up properly but whipped the overhead long. Boulais then again held at 40-love to move within one game of the title. The match ended in fitting fashion on yet another ad-out.
On his way to the title, Boulais faced a seeded opponent (No. 10, 8, 1, 11 and 2) in each of his five matches. Even more noteworthy, he dropped a meager 13 games while garnering 60.
Below are JTCC results from two premier Mid-Atlantic tournaments this weekend:
Beltway Battle
Boys’ 12 Results
-Justin Boulais (JTCC) d. No. 2 seed David Sun (6-0, 6-3) to win title.
Girls’ 12 Results
-No. 1 seed Hailey Baptiste (JTCC) d. Ayana Akli (JTCC) (6-3, 6-1) to win title.
Battle in the Burg
Boys’ 14 Results
-No. 7 seed Andrew Fenty (JTCC) d. No. 5 seed Michael Fleming (6-3, 7-5) (semifinals); d. No. 1 seed Robert Maciag (7-5, 6-1) to win title.
-No. 1 seed Robert Maciag d. Matthew Fenty (JTCC) (6-2, 6-2) (semifinals); Matthew Fenty d. No. 5 seed Michael Fleming (6-2, 6-2) to win third place.
Boys’ 16 Results
-No. 1 seed Kyrylo Tsygura (JTCC) d. No. 6 seed Dennis Afanasev (7-5, 6-0) to win title.
Boys’ 18 Results
-Evan Zhu (JTCC) d. No. 6 seed Kasey Countee (6-3, 6-2) to win title.
Girls’ 16 Results
-No. 6 seed Jada Robinson (JTCC) d. Cameron Corse (6-3, 7-5) (semifinals); No. 1 seed Opala Dhingra d. Jada Robinson (6-1, 6-2) in finals.
Girls’ 18 Results
-Amanda Atanasson (JTCC) earned fourth place.