Second Seeds Second Best at Grass Courts Monday

©Colette Lewis 2005--
Philadelphia PA--

Top seeds Johnny Hamui and Lindsay Burdette advanced to the second round on Monday, but number two seed Peter Aarts in the boys division and Ashley Weinhold, the girls' second seed, were both upended in opening round play.

Clint Bowles of Tampa FL, the USTA Spring 18s National Champion, eliminated Aarts 7-6(2), 6-3. "I liked it," said the lefthander of his first competitive match ever on grass, "it was fun." Aarts, of Pound Ridge NY, considered Bowles' return of serve as the key to his win. "I didn't serve my best, but he returned well."

Aarts wasn't the only boys seed to fall, as his doubles partner, third seed Jonathan Boym of Marlboro NJ was upset by 14-year-old local favorite Maksim Tikhomirov, 6-4, 6-0.


Top seed Hamui survived a strong challenge from qualifier George Laffey 6-3, 6-4 and fourth seed Albe Richelieu pulled through, outlasting Dan Buikema 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.

In the last match of the day, girls number two seed Ashley Weinhold managed to force a third set, but could not overcome qualifier Michaela Kissell of Hostetter PA, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3. Seventh seed Yolande Leacock and eighth seed Kristy Frilling were also upset victims. Julia Boserup beat Leacock 6-3, 6-2 and Denise Dy downed Frilling 6-3, 2-6, 6-4.

Burdette needed nearly two and a half hours to subdue Blakely Ashley 6-4, 6-7(1), 6-3. Burdette's younger sister Mallory, who is in the opposite half of the draw, also fought her way into the second round, defeating Kirsten Flower 6-3, 7-6 (6).

The comeback of the day however, belonged to Adam El Mihdawy, who got into the main draw as a lucky loser, lost the first nine games in his match with Viju George, then reeled off ten of the next thirteen games, eventually advancing when George retired, 0-6, 6-4, 4-2.