Congratulations to Zoe de Bruycker, Katie Le, Sam Critser, and Giuliana Olmos on their results this past week at the $25,000 Moraga Open Tennis Championships (formerly The Stead Open).

Unseeded, Zoe de Bruycker had a great tournament finishing 2nd place overall. In her opening round, she played Lauren Curry where she won 6-2, 6-2. Then in the round of 32, she faced the number 5 seed, Alison Ramos, whom she passed through with a 6-4, 6-1 win. Next in the round of 16, she would face our very own Giuliana Olmos. They had a great match and Zoe came on the winning side 6-2, 6-3. Reaching the quarterfinals, Zoe had to compete against another Tompkin's player, Katie Le. Splitting the first two sets, 4-6, 6-2, De Bruycker stepped it up and finished the third set 6-0. Now in the semifinals, Zoe faced number 2 seed, Romana Tedjakusuma, the Indonesian professional. Zoe battled it out with Tedjakusuma in three sets and played phenomenal. With a victorious 4-6, 6-0, 6-4 win, De Bruycker advanced to the finals. Being the underdog of the tournament, she then faced the number 1 seed Ivana Lisjak from Las Vegas. Lisjak did not drop a single set and did not drop more than 3 games in each match. Unfortunately De Bruycker lost 6-2, 6-0, but had a fantastic run at this tournament and finished in second place.

Katie Le, seeded at 13, reached the quarterfinals of the tournament with impressive wins. In Katie's opening round, she had a 6-0, 6-0 win against Emani Decquir. Next in the round of 16s, she played number 3 seed, Cristina Visico. Katie played great and came out with a 6-2, 6-4 victory.Then in the quarterfinals was where she would face De Bruycker. They had an excellent match, but De Bruycker came out on top.

Sam Critser, the 11th seed, also had a wonderful run at the tournament. With a tough opening round against Isamarie Perez, Sam pulled through 4-6, 6-3, 6-0. She then faced Romana Tedjakusuma, the former Indonesian professional whom she previously faced in the finals of the Women's Open in Aptos. Although Sam played great, it was not enough to beat the former professional.

Seeded at 10, Giuliana Olmos played the tournament immediately after her trip to Puerto Rico where she competed for Mexico at the Central American and Caribbean Games. In the opening round, Olmos faced Blair Reed whom she had a great 6-0 6-0 win against. Olmos reached the round of 16, but unfortunately lost to Zoe de Bruycker.

There was a fantastic turnout at the West Coast National Championships last week in Sacramento where Rachel Chong, Emma Critser, and Emily Zheng all did great at the past national.

Rachel Chong, seeded number 9, placed 3rd in the Girls' 14's division. Chong faced Hayley Scarano in the first round and succeeded with a 6-0, 6-1 victory. Then in the second round, Chong had a tough first set versus Katherine Long, but battled it out the second and third and won 5-7, 6-1, 6-1. Next in the round of 16s, she played Elizabeth Yao and secured her spot in the quarterfinals after a 6-0, 6-1 win. In the quarterfinals, Chong and Jenna Friedel had a teeth-grinding match. Chong overcame nerves and came out on the winning side 3-6, 6-1, 6-4. Next, Rachel had to face the number 3 seed, Stephanie Hazeli in the semifinals. Chong played great, but unfortunately lost 3-6, 5-7. In the playoff match, Rachel beat Nicole Mitchell 7-5, 6-2 in order to receive her 3rd place triumph.

Emma Critser played a division up and was unseeded in the tournament, but finished 5th overall. In the first rounds, Emma beat Paula Chou 6-2, 6-3, and Lily Forlini, the number 9 seed, 6-3, 1-6, 6-3. Reaching the round of 16s, Emma played Anna Romeka whom she had a great 6-3, 6-2 win over. Next in the quarterfinals, she would face the number one seed, Sarah Gealer. Coming in a little nervous, Emma started off slow. She unfortunately lost 6-0, 7-5 and was then placed in the quarterfinals of the back draw. Playing number 9 seed, Monica Pastor, Emma had a tough match but came out with a 7-5, 2-6, 1-0 win. Critser then preceded to beating Ayla Aksu 7-5, 6-0 to reach the finals of the consolation. In the finals, Emma battled for 5th and 6th place with Toby Miclat. They both played great, but Emma came out on the winning side in the 3rd set 10 point tiebreaker. Emma received 5th place after a 3-6, 6-4, 1-0 win.

Emily Zheng, seeded at number 5, reached the semifinals of the West Coast Championship. With a nice win over Christine McCarthy 6-0, 6-0 in the opening round, Emily went in the second round feeling confident. She faced Juliette Martin in the second round and was victorious after a 6-2, 6-4 match. Reaching the quarterfinals, Zheng then played Marianna Alevra, the number 2 seed. Unfortunately Zheng lost, but had a great tournament.  

Congratulations to Sam Critser, Giuliana Olmos, and Stephany Chang, who all had great results at the 110th Annual $2,500 California Open Women's Championships in Aptos in July.

Sam Critser was unseeded but played very well and received 2nd place.  In her opening round, she played the 6th seed, Melissa Gurney.  Sam struggled a little in the first set, but came out with a 7-5, 6-1 win.  Next in the round of 16, she faced Kiersten Meehan but secured her spot in the tournament with a 6-0, 6-0 victory.  Sam was then against Kelly Pace, the 2nd seed, in the quarterfinals.  With a teeth grinding first and second set, she overcame nerves and was triumphant with a score of 6-4, 4-6, 6-2.

Next in the semifinals, Sam played the 5th seed, Kelly DeBeer.  She lost an upsetting 1st set 3-6, but came back and won the next two sets 6-1, 6-0.  Thereafter, on a warm Sunday afternoon, Sam would face Romana Tedjakusuma, an Indonesian professional player who was formerly ranked 82 in the world. Tedjakusuma was seeded #1 and had not lost a single set in the tournament.  Although Sam played exceptional tennis, Tedjakusuma did not fail to drop a single set.  After a great match, ending 6-1, 6-4 in Tedjakusuma's favor, Sam was awarded 2nd place.

Guiliana Olmos also had a nice showing at the Aptos tournament.  Seeded number 8, Giuliana advanced to the round of 16, when her opponent unfortunately was a no show.  Olmos then played Jamie Pawid and had a great win 6-2, 6-1.  Next in the quarterfinals, Olmos faced the number 1 seed, Tedjakusuma, the Indonesian professional.  With much experience, Tedjakusuam won 6-3, 6-2, but Giuliana played great.

Stephany Chang reached the round of 16 after a good win over Lindsey Marsh 6-1, 6-0.  She then faced the number 3 seed, Katia Sabate, and had a 3-set battle.  After a long drawn out match, Stephany lost 7-6, 4-6, 4-6.

Congratulations to Calvin Mark this past week for winning the Boys 18s division at the USTA National Open in Lakewood.  Seeded at number 9, he started out with a rough start against Cameron Bernhardt, but came out with a 6-1, 4-6, 6-2 victory.  Calvin then advanced to the round of 16 after a win over Andrew Malozsak 6-1, 6-1.  He then faced the number 4 seed, Connor Farren, whom he had a tough battle with.  Calvin dropped the first set 3-6, but then succeeded wiht a 6-0, 7-5 triumph.

Moving on to the quarterfinals, Calvin secured his spot in the tournament after beating Mackenzie McDonald 6-0, 6-3.  Proceeding to the semifinals, he had a challenging first set versus Anthony Delcore.  After being down 0-5 in the first set, he found his rhythm, overcame the test, and defeated Delcore 7-5, 6-1.

Finally reaching the last and concluding round, Calvin was up against the 7th seed, Rickey Baylon from Buena Park.  Calvin won the first set 6-2, but his opponent took the second 6-3.  It all came down to the third set.  He played some amazing tennis and came out with a final score of 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.

"This was one of the biggest wins of my career.  It has really given me the confidence to take it up to the next level.  I'm ready to bring it on at the Zoo."

Brian Sun also had a good showing at the same tournament in the Boys 16s.  Reaching the quarterfinals unseeded, Brian kicked out two seeded players along the way.

Tompkins Tennis would like to congratulate Giuliana Olmos, Emma Critser, Justin Chan, Natallie Spievack and Alexa Corcoleotes on theri recent results at NorCal Junior Sectionals.  Giuliana and Emma claimed their spot at number one in the Girls 18s and 14s respectively.  Natalie finished 2nd (G14), Justin finished 3rd (B18) and Alexa reached the quarterfinals (G12).  Everyone played tremendous tennis and accomplished great results.

Seeded at number one, Giuliana Olmos won the 2010 Girls' 18's Junior Sectional Championships without dropping a set.  She beat Mariska Chamdani and Iris Lin in the opening rounds and then went on to face Marietta Tulonetoa in the quarterfinals where Giuliana came out with a 6-1,6-4 win.  Next in teh semifinals, she played the number 3 seed, Jamie Pawid, but also came out with an impressive 6-0,6-1 win.  In the finals, Katherine Flanigan gave Giuliana a battle, but Giuliana fought through and received first place after a 6-4, 7-5 victory.

Justin Chan, the 4th seed in the Boys' 18's division, had respectble wins over William Boyd and Kyle Sum in the opening rounds.  In the round of 16, Justin faced Daniel Morkovine, the 12th seed where he had a tough first set, 7-6(3), but pulled through and impressively finished the second set 6-1.  In the quarterfinals, Justin battled through a three-setter with Trevor James.  Justin unfortunately lost the first set 2-6, but attached back, winning the next sets 6-1, 6-0.  Next in the semifinals, Justin would meet David Hsu, where he had a tough match.  Justin finished in 3rd place after he beat the 11th seed, Benjamin Vierra, 6-1, 6-0.

Natalie Spievack, seeded 10th in the Girls' 14's, also had excellent results at this year's Sectionals.  Natalie beat Amanda Berke in the opening round and then went on to battle Megan Scholvinck in the round of 32.  Natalie lost a grueling first set 5-7, but came back and won 6-4, 6-0.  In the round of 16, she played Cindy Liu, the number one seed.  Natalie played skillfully and had a 6-3, 6-2 win over Cindy.  After her glorious win, she was on a roll and beat Daphne De Chatellus, the 14th seed, 6-3, 6-3 in te semifinals.  She went on to face Tompkins Tennis' own Emma Critser in the finals.

Seeded number 2, Emma Critser felt confident going in to Sectionals.  In the opening rounds, she defeated Samantha Farrell and Rachel chong.  In the quarterfinals, she played Deepa Dhore, the 8th seed, whom she beat 6-4, 6-3.  Playing great, Emma went on to face Karina Vyrlan, the 3rd seed, in the semifinals where she came out victorious with a 6-3, 6-1 win.  In the finals, it was time to face Natalie Spievack.  Despite the fact that they practice together, these two girls played exceptional tennis.  But Emma came out on top and finished in first place after a 6-3, 6-2 win.

Seeded at number 5 in the Girls' 12's, Alexa Corcoleotes reached the round of 16 after a tremendous win over Sofia Jacob.  Subsequently, she defeated Cali Fuller 6-1, 6-4 to reach the quarterfinals.