The Boys SF was played in the afternoon/evening round on Thursday. The outcome was: WILLIAMS vs. GORZNY in the final, number 1 against number 2, by the book.

Top seed Cooper WILLIAMS (USA) had an easier semifinal match than in the QF which went to 3 sets. In the SF WILLIAMS easily dominated his doubles partner 6-2, 6-1, which must have been a disappointment to ZHENG who had a good tournament, beating some top players. WILLIAMS is no. 1 seed for a reason, displaying top junior tennis with a terrific serve and strong laser-like groundstrokes. He won rounds 1 and 2 in straight sets over talented opponents, but had to dig deeper to push back a tough BASAVAREDDY in 3 QF sets. Cooper´s path to the final has been:
round        opponent                         country               seed/ranking           score    
1               Michael KRAJCI              Slovakia                 no / 165               6-2, 6-4    
2               Sean DARYABEIGI           USA                     no / 120               7-5, 7-6   
QF            Nishesh BASAVAREDDY USA                    WC / 657               3-6, 7-6, 6-2
SF            Michael ZHENG                USA                       5  / 75                 6-2, 6-1

Seventh seed Sebastian GORZNY of USA had a comfortable win against qualifier Learner TIEN in the SF. TIEN, who had surprised third seed Nick GODSICK in the QF was not as hot in the SF round. But TIEN had a strong tournament, as he started in the Qualy and will earn points for his performance at the Copa. GORZNY barely made it to the semis past Jonah BRASWELL of USA in the QF round in probably the best match of the tournament. In a marathon 4 hour battle in Stadium Court, GORZNY outlasted the highly talented BRASWELL, taking the first set tiebreak 14 – 12, and getting a favorable call to get to match point. But GORZNY did not luck into the SF; he earned it by playing strong tennis throughout the week. He will be a tough match for WILLIAMS in the final.  Sebastian´s road to Saturday has been:
round        opponent                         country                seed/ranking           score    
1               Paulo POCASANGRE     Costa Rica            WC /784                6-2, 6-2     
2               Paul BARBIER                 France                   no / 155                6-4, 6-4   
QF            Jonah BRASWELL           USA                       no / 112                6-7, 6-4, 7-6
SF             Learner TIEN                   USA                        Q / 166                6-1, 6-4

Which of these players will take the Boys Championship? We will find out Saturday.

The Girls SF was played Thursday  in the morning round. The outcome: MACAVEI vs. XU in the final.

Eighth seed Sonya MACAVEI (USA) outlasted seventh seed Sayoka ISHII of Japan in 3 sets 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 to claim her place in the Saturday matchup. Both players are solid and capable, yet Sonya outlasted Sayoka as the American was able to do with all of her opponents. Sonya´s lefty game is not flashy or overpowering, although she has a good forehand, but rather is consistent and wears down opponents. Sonya´s path to the final has been:
round         opponent                       country                  seed/ranking         score    
1                 Ellie DANIELS              Canada                    WC / 232            6-3, 6-1    
2                 Yujin KIM                      Korea                          Q / 475            7-5, 6-4
QF              Victoria OSUIGWE       USA                            Q / 470            6-0, 6-4
SF               Sayaka ISHII                Japan                         7  / 102            4-6, 6-4,6-1

Unseeded Naomi XU of Canada, listed 183 on the ITF ranking, pushed back sixth seed Luca UDVARDY of Hungary, also in 3 sets, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 to take the second spot in the final. UDVARDY had a good tournament, beating back good players and getting to the finals in doubles, but was outmaneuvered in the SF by a wily XU. Unlike her Japanese namesake, 15 year old Naomi, who is small of stature, does not overpower opponents but rather bewilders them with fine placement and seemingly returning every ball. Her weakness is a soft second serve but it has not stopped her yet. Naomi´s path to the final has been:
round         opponent                      country                   seed/ranking          score 
1                Elizabeth JONES          USA                           no /125               6-1, 6-2 
2                Ava KRUG                     USA                            5 / 89                 6-7, 6-3, 6-2  
QF             Mia SLAMA                    USA                           4 / 85                 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 
SF              Luca UDVARDY            Hungary                     6 / 91                 6-2, 4-6, 6-4

Which of these players will hoist the championship trophy? We will find out Saturday.