USTA Honor Juniors Honor Roll: July 2019

July is the month where the best in the U.S. battle on the Clay Courts all over Florida during the USTA Boys’ and Girls’ National Clay Court Championships. And it is no exception that Team NorCal is traveling across the country to compete for titles.

So let’s dive right into it.

In the Boys’ 14 category played in Fort Lauderdale, FL, July 14-21, Dylan Tsoi of El Dorado Hill, CA, made it all the way to the finals, falling to Nishesh Basavareddy of Midwest 6-1, 6-0. Dylan beat the No. 2 and 4 seeds on his way to his runner-up finish, claiming his first ever National Ball!

Dylan also had a great run in the doubles draw, reaching the semifinals with Dylan Charlap of Southern California. The Californian pair was stopped by the No. 1 seed Nicholas Godsick of Midwest and Joseph Phillips of Southern 6-4, 6-1.

However, “The Dylans” came back in the playoff match, winning a hard-earned Bronze Ball 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 against Andy Nguyen and Alan Ton of Southern California.

Making their way to Delray Beach, FL, the Boys’ 16 draws were played that same week. Luke Casper of Santa Cruz, CA, came out victorious in the singles draw, thanks to a hard fought 3-6, 7-6, 7-6 victory against Samir Banerjee of Basking Ridge, NJ. Luke earned a Gold Ball by beating the No.1 seed and favorite in the finals. With that win, Luke had the privilege to do a coin toss during the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic for the Victoria Azarenka – Harmony Tan match. USTA NorCal caught up with Luke after the coin toss, check out what he had to say:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad8ePe1Lxsw

Lastly, Team NorCal also showed their presence in the Boys’ 18 draws. Aryan Chaudhary of Santa Clara, CA, shone throughout the entire tournament, advancing to the semifinals in singles. Even though Aryan left it all out on the court, Leighton Allen of Austin, TX, got the best of him 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.

But he finished in a fantastic fourth place, as Evin McDonald of Bethesda, MD, won 6-3, 6-3. However, Aryan kept fighting in doubles, coming home with a Gold Ball with partner Logan Zapp of Fleming Island, FL. The No. 17 seeds overcame the no. 1 seeds, Luke and Quinn Vandecasteele of Murray, UT, 6-4, 6-2.

The pair also beat the No. 6, 14 and 8 seeds on their way to the title! To make it even sweeter, Aryan’s sportsmanship was recognized when he was awarded the Sportsmanship Award for the Boys’ 18 tournament. Way to represent NorCal Aryan!

A few days after, some members of Team NorCal went down to Ojai, CA, to show off their skills in front of college coaches at the New Balance High School Tennis Championship. Kamila Wong of Palo Alto, CA, paved her way to the finals, only being defeated by Pavitra Parikh 7-5, 3-6, 6-0.

Please, join us in congratulating all the players on an outstanding month of July! Don’t miss the August Honor Roll for a full review of the USTA National Hard Court Championships. Go Team NorCal!