WW South's Li gives Bloom all he can handle
As far as DuPage County was concerned it was the marquee singles match of the day at Saturday's NaperValley Invitational Tennis Tournament.
Wheaton Warrenville South senior Jimmy Li, who won four matches at last year's state tournament, faced Augie Bloom of Hinsdale Central, who finished third at state, and is considered a prime contender for this year's state singles title, in the NaperValley semifinals.
Li gave Bloom all he could handle before falling in three sets 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.
This match was a model for quality tennis and sportsmanship," said Wheaton Warrenville South coach Bob Cherry. "Though they've known each other for 10 years, the two have never faced each other in an IHSA match. But they know each other's strengths and weaknesses."
"I know Augie's a real smart player and real quick," Li said. "So I was trying to overpower him through the match. And when I executed well in the second set, that's when I won. I was focused better in the second set."
The competition was heightened by the great respect the two have for the other's tennis game.
"On big points Augie is the best player I've played against," I said. "He always plays the big points well. When he's serving, he gets me on defense right from the beginning. That's one of his best attributes and it wins him matches."
"Jimmy has a great attitude," Bloom said. "He never gets down on himself. And he's tough to play as an opponent because stroke-wise he's very disciplined. He's not going to miss too often."
Bloom thought he started the match too tentatively and didn't go for his shots enough.
"Jimmy got confident and then went for his shots more, and he hit them," Bloom said. "And he's a strong kid so his shots have a lot of pace. I tried to use variety and build the point."
Hinsdale Central coach Jay Kramer thought Li provided a great challenge for Bloom.
"Jimmy played quite a match," Kramer said. "He has a great forehand and he plays strong. But Augie is a great competitor with a lot of experience and confidence. He knows he can do it. He moves the ball around well and seems to have a feel for what to do."
After the match Li went on to the third-place match where he was forced to withdraw when his knees got too sore to go on, while Bloom advanced to the championship match where he defeated Mike Jacobs of Oak Park 7-6 (7-1) 6-2.
In fact the defending state champion Red Devils won the tournament with 90 points by sweeping West Suburban Silver rival Oak Park in all five finals matches.
Oak Park was second with 66 points followed by Downers Grove South (58), Edwardsville (54) and Naperville North finished fifth with 48.
Naperville North's two singles and three doubles were all knocked from the championship bracket on Friday, but the Huskies rallied with a 16-0 record for five fifth-places finishes to win the backdraw in every flight.
"Everyone did a great job today," said Naperville North coach Heather Henricksen. "We have a lot of talent on this team, and this was a great test to show us how things look going into the postseason."