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11/13/09 - HTA/GRC Host Midwest Indoor Open
The Glenbrook Racquet Club, home of the Herrmann Tennis Academy, hosted the USTA Boys’ 12s Midwest Junior Indoor Open on October 31-November 2nd. Jonathan Small (Midland, Mich.) defeated Noah Karoub (Farmington, Mich.) 6-4, 6-1 in the finals.
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B12 Junior Indoor Open 2009
Finalist, Noah Karoub,
Tournament Sponsor, Mindee Epstein of TipTop Fitness & Conditioning, and Champion, Jonathan Small |
Small cruised through the first four rounds of the tournament, dropping just five games in eight sets. In the semifinals, seventh seeded Nathan Griffin stayed within a break in each set, before ultimately falling 6-3, 6-3.
Karoub won each of his first four matches in straight sets before entering into a semifinal battle with #5 seed John McNally. Karoub took the first set 6-3, before McNally won the second by the same score. The third set match-tiebreak featured the most exciting tennis of the tournament as the two players traded leads, before Karoub took the last two points to win the set 10-8.
The final was a battle of contrasting styles as Small patiently built points from the baseline, and Karoub forced the action by taking balls early and moving in to the net at every opportunity. Karoub took an early 3-2 lead, but Small’s steady shot making allowed him to win four of the last five games to take the set. In the second set Jonathan took an early break to take a 2-0 lead. Karoub kept applying pressure, but Small’s array of passing shots and deep forehands ultimately proved to be the difference in the match as he wrapped up the second set 6-1.
Wentong Zhang of Whitefish Bay, Wis. was the recipient of the tournaments’ sportsmanship award.
William Szokol was the top finisher among HTA competitors, making it the round of 16 in the main draw and the quarterfinals of the consolation. Joining Szokol in the draw were HTA classmates Nick Hamburger, Blake Oslan, and Kenny Herrmann.
 "The level of play in this event was spectacular," said Mindee Epstein, owner of tournament sponsor Tip Top Training. "This tournament featured seven of the top ten players in the Midwest Boys' 10s year end rankings. The stars of the future were on display this weekend."
Click here for complete tournament results
Click here for more information on Tiptop Training & Rehabilitation
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