A beauty of an opener for the Pitchford 32

The weather and the boys tennis played at the Tom Pitchford 32-team invite could not have been better Friday afternoon.

With conditions nearly perfect for the first day of the biggest tennis event of the regular season so far, the impressive field at six venues around the Mid-Suburban League took its cue from a gorgeous, sunny day to impress the fans and set up what should be an exciting Saturday of competition.

Stevenson, Glenbrook North, Highland Park, Hinsdale Central and Lake Forest have all four teams in the quarterfinals, and are tied for the top spot at 32 points.

Quarterfinals for both Nos. 1 and 2 singles begin at 8 a.m. Saturday at Hersey, while doubles will start at the same time at Buffalo Grove.

Semifinals for all four flights will take place at tourney host Hersey, with the finals scheduled for the early afternoon.

The best viewing Friday occurred at Prospect High School, where the top half of the No. 1 singles bracket was in action.

No. 1 seed and defending state champion Eddie Grabill of Hinsdale Central held off Bill Zhang of Naperville Central in two sets, while Central Suburban League rivals Mark Wu (Glenbrook North) and Noah Rosenblatt (Deerfield) needed two-plus hours before Wu prevailed to set up a quarterfinal date with Grabill.

"There was nothing to prepare for before my match with Noah," said Wu, aware of the practical implications of the outcome, as Deerfield and Highland Park are later in the same sectional. "He's a great player. We know each other really well, and we'll probably see each a few more times before the state tournament."

Wu came back from a 3-0 second-set deficit to win in straight sets.

Zhang looked the part of an upset specialist against the Dartmouth-bound Grabill according to coach Dan Brown, during the first set. But a step backwards cost the Central sophomore in the second set.

"A couple of loose serves here and there, and a great player like Eddie can take advantage, and he did," Brown said. "But Bill played very well and was able to stay in there with Eddie on a lot of those 20-25 points they played. So overall, it was a very good match for him."

The rest of the top half of the front draw at Prospect produced a surprising result, as 3-4 seed Tony Leto of Downers Grove South fell in straight sets to Victor Spolidorio of Dunlap 7-6 (2), 6-3 in a match which saw several stoppages as each player questioned close calls.

Spolidorio (23-0) who has beaten Zhang 6-4, 7-6 earlier in the season, has been in this country just three years since arriving from Brazil. He will meet Brice Polander of Lake Forest in the quarterfinals Saturday morning after the Scouts' top player recorded a hard-fought 6-3, 7-5 victory over Mack Galvin (13-2) of Rolling Meadows.

"I thought it was a heckuva match," said the Mustangs junior. "Both of us were just going at each other, ripping one shot after another at one another, and although Brice is a fantastic player, I felt like I can play with someone that talented. With the four second-round matches being played all-around me, it felt like the round of 16 at the state tournament because of the players and the amazing tennis that was being played. So it was a great day for me, despite the loss."

Ishaan Jaglan (Barrington), perhaps Galvins' biggest obstacle later this month as he chases a third consecutive MSL title, drew into the No. 2 seed and one of the favorites to win it all, Alex Ross from Lyons Township.

Ross was impressive from start to finish, showing an all-around game that makes him a potential 1-2 seed at the state tournament.

The Broncos' top player didn't back down during a highly competitive first set, in which Ross prevailed 7-5, before dropping the second 6-2.

"He's the real deal," said Jaglan, "but that big-time hitting and high pace is what I like to play. It was a terrific first set, and one that I will need to take with me going forward because he could win it all tomorrow, and maybe later at state."

Tom Stanhope's team from Stevenson was flawless through the first two rounds, with senior Colin Harvey set to play Ross in the quarters. The Patriots standout was pleased with the effort from his teammates.

"We're finally getting everyone back, and healthy for the stretch run, so it's an excting time for Stevenson tennis," said Harvey, whose teammate at No. 2 singles, Brian Weisberg, faces No. 2 seed Christian San Andres of Downers Grove North.

The Patriots' top pair at doubles, Ryan Harvey-Adam Maryniuk, will be opposite Hinsdale Central Saturday morning in a remarkable group at Buffalo Grove.

Jacobs star Kailash Panchapakesan, here for the first time along with his teammates, celebrated with a 6-3, 6-1 victory in his opener against Saahil Rastogi of Naperville North before being sent into the backdraw following a 6-1, 6-4 defeat against 5-8 seed Jacob Edelchik of Highland Park.

"It was good getting that first one out of the way. The weather was great, there was little wind, and I felt like I was able to isolate his weaknesses and take advantage of him because of that," said the reigning FVC champ, who will meet 2014 state qualifier Tom Bickel Saturday morning in Mt. Prospect.

Play in the backdraw, which could prove vital in the final team standings, will continue all throughout the day, with consolations champions eventually crowned, along with third- and fifth-place finishers as well.