Di Giulio advances to semis

Newport Beach resident Joseph Di Giulio won two matches Saturday to advance to today’s semifinals of the boys’ 16 singles draw at the 106th annual Southern California Junior Sectionals tennis tournament at the Los Caballeros Racquet and Sports Club in Fountain Valley.

Di Giulio, the No. 4 seed, defeated No. 6-seeded Nathan Lewis, 6-3, 6-0, in Saturday’s quarterfinal, after earning a 6-0, 6-1 win over Drew Dawson in the round of 16. Di Giulio, who won the boys’ 12s singles title at this event in 2007, will vie in today’s 2 p.m. semifinal against an opponent to be determined, for the right to advance to Monday’s 1 p.m. final.

Recent Corona del Mar High graduate Fabian Matthews lost in the boys’ 18s quarterfinals Saturday. The No. 4 seed was defeated, 6-4, 6-3, by No. 5-seeded Kyle McMorrow. Matthews had won in the round of 16 over Kent Mkrtchian, 1-6, 6-1, 6-3.

Newport Beach resident Ali Walters, who along with partner Alison Ramos will play in the girls’ 18s doubles final today at 4 p.m., lost in the singles quarterfinals Saturday, 6-0, 6-1, to No. 5-seeded Kaitlyn Christian of Orange. Walters had upset No. 2-seeded Catherine Isip, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, in the round of 16 earlier Saturday.

Costa Mesa resident James Zillman, the No, 9 seed, lost, 6-0, 6-1, to No. 2-seeded Colin Altamirano in the boys’ 12s singles quarterfinals Saturday.

Newport Beach resident Cierra Gaytan-Leach fell to No. 7-seeded Sabrina Santamaria, 6-4, 6-7, 6-4, in the girls’ 18s singles round of 16 Saturday.

Hailey Hogan, who will be a junior at CdM High in the fall, was also eliminated in the round of 16 in the girls’ 16s singles. She fell to No. 6-seeded Danielle Flores, 6-3, 6-3.

In boys’ 18s doubles action, Costa Mesa resident Chris Freeman and his partner, Billy Grokenberger from Santa Barbara, the No. 4 seeds, fell, 6-3, 1-6, 7-5, in the round of 16.

Newport Beach resident Henri Chomeau and his partner, Kevin Cox from Anaheim, also lost in the boys’ 18s doubles round of 16.

— From staff reports