Zhang taking care of business
In today’s fourth round at the state tennis tournament at Hersey, Gordon Zhang of Naperville North is going to act like he’s been there before — because he has.
The past two years Zhang advanced to the round of 16 on Friday only to lose that first match of the day and see his dreams of a state singles championship end and his challenge of competing in the backdraw begin.
“I’m like the old pro, the veteran,” Zhang said. “Winning state has been my dream since I was a freshman, but first I have to take care of business and get by this round.”
Zhang really took care of business Thursday as he played the gusty winds perfectly to win his first three matches, the first two decisively and the third, which was a challenge, over Jake Elliott of Lyons 6-4, 6-4 in the Huskies senior’s favor.
“I was comfortable hitting both with and against the wind and I did a good job of mixing up my spins to keep the opponents off-balance,” Zhang said. “In the match against Jake I served well, played consistently and attacked his backhand. His strength is coming to the net, so I tried to make him stay back on the baseline. I think I played aggressively and dictated most of the points.”
On Friday Zhang faces a tough challenge against Batavia’s Josh Cogan, a Nos. 5-8 seed who defeated Ismail Kadyrov of Vernon Hills 6-3, 6-0 in his third match on Thursday.
“I’ve never played Josh in high school tennis,” Zhang said. “But we’ve practiced together a lot. He has a big serve and a big forehand. If I play well and play smart like I did today, I have a good shot against him.”
Naperville North coach Heather Henricksen said that Cogan is on the high end of the 5-8 seed and could easily have been seeded 3-4.
“Gordon has to go in against Josh with the same approach today, only knowing that this is a higher level,” Henricksen said. “Gordon has to truly believe in his game and take ownership of the match. If Josh is on with his big first serve, Gordon is going to have to do his best to neutralize the point off the serve. And holding serve will be huge for Gordon.”
Hinsdale Central, which is leading the field with 24 points, still has its entire team, two singles and two doubles in the championship bracket, and Downers Grove South, tied for sixth, has singles Joey Leto and doubles Cody Freischlag and Connor Harmon going into the fourth round.
Neuqua Valley stands in eighth place with 13 points.
Singles players Michael Baiocchi of Neuqua Valley won their first two matches Thursday before dropping three-setters in the third round.
Doubles who took their first two matches before bowing out of the main draw were Naperville Central’s Danny Albert and Wesley Lo, and Danny Oakes and Dom Amalraj of St. Charles North.