Local seeds move onward in tourney

NEWPORT BEACH ? Sometimes Bradley Fisher wishes he could make his opponents hit the ball harder.

When the tennis balls began floating over the net toward Fisher in the warmup for his round of 64 boys’ 16 singles match in the 17th Annual Balboa Bay Club Racquet Club Junior Tournament, the soon-to-be Estancia High junior knew he would have to change his playing style.

The lack of power from his opponent would prevent Fisher from using his own in a 6-1, 6-4 loss Monday to No. 12 Parker Kelley, eliminating Fisher from the tournament also known as the War by the Shore.

“It’s tough to hit winners,” Fisher said. “That’s just the way it sort of happens.”

But facing players with different styles is a reason Fisher is playing tournaments throughout the summer, competing in 10 more before the season is over.

“I like it even more than playing high school,” Fisher said. “It helps me play a variety of different players.”

Not only did playing against a softer-hitting player force Fisher into becoming the same, it also fostered the mentality of trying too hard to hit winners, resulting in unforced errors and a subsequent 6-1 first-set loss.

“[Kelley’s style] made me hit it out too much,” Fisher said.

In the second set, Fisher adapted to the style and won a crucial point down a break to tie the score, 4-4.

“I tried to hit it more under control instead of so hard,” Fisher said. “I think I moved him around well and played the bigger points well.”

There is one part of Fisher’s game he never has to reign in: his emotions.

“That’s something I try to do that not a lot of people are able to do,” Fisher said of his ability to stay calm no matter the circumstance. “It doesn’t get me frustrated.”

Fisher’s teammate, Ely Zaidler, a soon-to-be sophomore and member of the Eagles’ No. 1 doubles team, fared slightly better than Fisher. He advanced past the round of 64 of the 16 singles with a 6-0, 6-2 victory over Michael Zampiglia before losing in the second round later Monday, 6-2, 6-3, to Daniel Marh.

Fisher was glad to see his teammate playing in summer tournaments.

“It’s good to have a strong No. 2 [singles player],” Fisher said.

While many of the locals in the 16 singles did not advance, those who were expected to did. All three seeded players won to move on to the round of 16.

Corona del Mar resident Omeed Ghassemi, the No. 2 seed, cruised easily into the round of 16 with a 6-0, 6-1 victory over Matt Kawashima. Ghassemi received a bye into the Round of 32.

Ghassemi, who attends Mater Dei High, was the runner-up in 16 doubles in last year’s event.

“I just want to get as far as I can,” Ghassemi said. “And have fun.”

Ghassemi will face No. 14-seeded Darren Dahl, a player Ghassemi has beaten before. Ghassemi said Dahl has a strong forehand.

“I’m going to have to move him around a lot,” Ghassemi said.

Chris Damion, the No. 4 seed and soon-to-be Corona del Mar High sophomore, eased through the round of 64 a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Matt Leung.

But Damion was a little shocked by the difficulty he faced in pulling out a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win over Connor Witty to advance to the round of 16.

“I didn’t play for three days before today,” Damion said. “I’m tired and my legs hurt. I’m going to go to bed and sleep until 11:30 a.m. [his match is at 12:30 p.m.]. I did not expect such a tough match in the second round. That will boost my confidence.”

In the third set, both Damion and Witty held serve until the fourth game, with Damion leading, 2-1, and Witty serving. Damion jumped ahead 30-love, but Witty came back to within a point of holding serve. Two unforced errors from Witty gave Damion the break he needed.

Witty broke back to cut the deficit to 3-2, but Damion easily broke Witty’s serve to take a 4-2 lead. Damion blasted an ace past Witty to hold serve and take a 5-2 lead.

Witty cut it to 5-4 and was serving to tie the set. Witty had two separate game points, but Damion took advantage of his sudden conservative play and did not waste his match point.

“It was obvious neither of us wanted to miss a shot,” Damion said.

Damion has hit with his opponent today, No. 9-seeded Kevin Cox.

Fellow Sea Kings Parker Rhodes and Brent Pham matched up in the first round with Parker the favorite as the No. 15 seed. Rhodes came away with a 6-4, 6-3 victory, then advanced to the round of 16 with a 6-1, 6-2 triumph over Colton Pate.

“It could have gone either way,” Damion said of the matchup. “Parker came in confident and cocky. Brent wasn’t happy with the draw. They’re both playing well.”

Also in boys 16 singles: Jeff Lobel of Newport Beach advanced to the round of 32 with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Andrew Wiseman before losing to No. 8 Connor Karen, 6-0, 6-4; Erik Mutzke of Newport Coast lost in the round of 64 to Jordan Brown, 6-2, 6-0; Alexander Allione of Newport Beach lost in the round of 64 to Christopher Luc, 6-2, 6-0; Byan Buchert of Corona del Mar lost in the round of 64 to Arun Alagappan, 6-3, 6-0; Daniel Vu of Newport Coast lost in the round of 64 to Daniel Marh, 6-1, 6-0; Andrew Singer of Newport Beach lost in the round of 64 to Michael Meghpara, 6-4, 6-4; Henri Chomeau of Newport Beach lost in the round of 64 to No. 3-seeded Alexios Halebian, 6-2, 6-4; Spencer Moss of Newport Beach lost in the round of 64 to No. 10-seeded Devon Sousa, 6-0, 6-0; and Brandon Clary of Newport Beach lost in the round of 64 to Daniel Nguy, 6-1, 6-0.

In boys 14 singles Ryan Peyton of Newport Beach, with victories of 6-0, 6-0 and 6-2, 6-1, advanced to the round of 16.

Pierce Stemler of Newport Beach won in the round of 64, 7-6, 6-4, but fell, 6-2, 7-5, in the round of 32.

David Vu of Newport Coast lost in the round of 64 to Ethan Webman 6-0, 6-1.

Erik Heimstaedt of Newport Beach had a bye and lost in the round of 32, 6-1, 6-1.

After a bye, Hayden Tremper of Corona del Mar lost, 6-3, 1-6, 6-4, in the round of 32 to Alexander Wang.

In boys 12 singles, Alexander Murray of Corona del Mar defeated Kevin Pham, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, to advance to the round of 16.

In girls 18 singles, Chrissy Shwartz of Newport Beach advanced to the round of 16 with a 6-2, 7-5 victory over Emily Garcia.

Michelle Atkins of Newport Beach advanced to round of 16 with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Lauren Summers and Sasha Dunlap of Newport Beach advanced via default.

Jill Casserly of Newport Beach won, 6-3, 6-0 to advance to the round of 16.

Kelly McKitterick of Corona del Mar lost in the round of 32 to No. 6-seeded Ali Murphy, 6-0, 6-0.

In girls 16 singles, Kristina Heimstaedt defeated Bobbie Geis, 6-3, 7-5, to advance to the round of 32.

Lexy Longman of Newport Beach advanced with a 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 win over Sarancho Rodriguez. Rachel Cox of Corona del Mar lost in the round of 64 to Mallory Wilhelms, 6-1, 6-2.

Allie Shea of Newport Beach lost in the round of 64 to Leyla Simmons, 6-3, 6-3, while Ashley Adams of Newport Coast lost 7-6, 6-4 in the same round.

In girls 14 singles, Neda Ghassemi of Corona del Mar advanced to the round of 32 with a 6-1, 6-2 win over Haley Moss, and Megan Chomeau of Newport Beach advanced by way of default.

dpt-18-tennis-1-dl-CPhotoInfo671T1N0J20060718j2koesncCredit: DON LEACH / DAILY PILOT Caption: (LA)Corona del Mar High standout Parker Rhodes steps into a backhand return at the baseline on his way to a 6-4, 6-3 win over CdM teammate Brent Pham. dpt-18-tennis-2-dl-BPhotoInfo671T1R3020060718j2kof1ncCredit: DON LEACH / DAILY PILOT Caption: (LA)Corona del Mar High’s Chris Damion leans into a backhand volley in the 17th annual War by the Shore junior tournament Monday.