Tuesday, July 10, 2001
High school champ plays Wimbledon, then Met
By Dave Schutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Zimmermann
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Jason Zimmermann, the Ohio Division II high school singles champion at Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, played in the Wimbledon Junior Tournament — returning 10 hours before Saturday's match in the Thomas E. Price Metropolitan Tennis Championship.
Despite the rigors of travel, the 18-year-old from West Chester. defeated Shawn Barone on Saturday and turned in a second impressive outing Monday, besting Michael Lint 6-1, 6-4, in the round of 32.
“It's a big adjustment going from grass (Wimbledon) to clay (Lunken Playfield),” Zimmermann said.
At Wimbledon, Zimmermann lost in a first-round singles qualifier but advanced to the third round in doubles (main draw) with partner Alberto Brissi (Italy).
“We lost 10-8 in the third set,” Zimmermann said. “If we had won that match, I would have had to default out of this tournament.”
Future opponents might look back and wish Zimmermann, who will attend Duke University, had been more successful in England.
A powerful server, the 6-foot-2, 190-pound Zimmermann is also quick to the ball and has a big forehand and accurate backhand.
Seeded sixth, Zimmermann meets Ben Schreiber (No.14) today at 5:30 p.m.
Brett DeCurtins
(Brandi Stafford photo)
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WOLF PERSEVERES: Defending champion Jeff Wolf was pressed but came through with an impressive 6-2, 6-3 victory over Jay Woffington, a past Pittsburgh City Courts Champion.
“I'm having a hard time identifying motivation this year,” Wolf said. “It's a huge burden on my family, especially my wife (Brooke). Preparation is also important. It's hard finding someone to hit with at 5:30 or 6 in the morning.”
If Wolf wins in singles, it will be a record sixth championship, breaking a three-way tie with his older brother, Marty, and Charles Thomas for the most titles.
“If there's more pressure, it's self-imposed,” Wolf said. “I never pay attention to what people say. People asked me why I play in this tournament. I like to compete.”
Tanya Luzhanka
(Brandi Stafford photo)
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LUZHANKA UPSETS FRISCH: Tanya Luzhanka's second-round women's singles match was more impressive than the first.
Born in the Urkaine and a resident of Tel Aviv, Israel, Luzhanka defeated sixth-seeded Amy Frisch 6-3, 6-1 to reach Thursday's quarterfinals.
“When it was 3-2 in the first set, I thought to myself it was too hot and to turn it up,” Luzhanka said.
When Luzhanka started attacking, the momentum switched and the outcome was inevitable.
SCHEDULE: Men's action resumes tonight at 5:30 with seven round-of-16 matches and one round-of-32 match. Fifteen of the 16 seeded players are still alive. There are also four women's singles matches, two at 5:30 p.m. and two at 7. There will also be men's doubles at 7 p.m.
Met tennis results, schedule
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High school champ plays Wimbledon, then Met