WW-P grad beaten by teacher in tennis final
By: Bob Nuse
Oliver Choo isn’t sure who had the advantage in the battle between teacher and student in Saturday’s James E. Cryan Memorial Tennis Tournament Men’s Open Singles final.
But the West Windsor-Plainsboro High graduate does know that the way he’s been playing over the past couple of weeks, he can hold his own against just about anyone.
Choo, who will begin his sophomore year at Harvard University next month, lost to his long-time coach, Young Min Kwon Saturday at Mercer County Park, 7-6 (9-7), 7-5. But even in defeat he felt like he’s just about made it all the way back from the shoulder injury that had sidelined him for six months earlier this year.
"I know how to play against him and he knows how to play against me, so I don’t know if there was any advantage there," said Choo, who rallied from down 5-2 in the second set to draw even at 5-5 before Kwon won the last two games. "He and I hadn’t played since last summer, but I still know what to expect from him. I come to the net a little more than he does and he grinds it out from the baseline. I like to serve and volley and attack more, especially against him."
In Saturday’s final, that strategy seemed to work for Choo against Kwon, who captured his fifth Cryan singles title. He fell behind 4-3 in the first set then went up 5-4. He then fell behind 6-5 before rallying to force a tie-breaker. In the second set he rallied from down, 3-0, to make it 5-2, then 5-5.
"I’ve been pretty happy with my level of play," Choo said. "I think a few points here and there are what made the difference. It seemed like he got the big points when he needed to get them. This was only my second tournament since January, so I still have a long way to go. But I felt pretty good."
The appearance in the tournament finals was a first for Choo, who reached the semifinals last year before losing to Jay Nerenberg, who he beat in this year’s semis. He and Kwon also reached the semifinals at doubles in the Cryan. All in all, it looks like Choo is back on his game as he prepares to head to Harvard.
"I actually think the time I was hurt might have helped me refocus," Choo said. "Last fall I played No. 4 or No. 5 most of the time (at Harvard). If I’m playing well, it’s possible I could beat the returning No. 1 depending on how I’m playing."
The Kwon-Choo match capped off an exciting week of tennis for the Cryan, which brings together the best players from the area year after year. In the Women’s Open Singles final, West Windsor resident Celene Chang emerged as the champion with a win over top-seeded Lyndsay Dynof.
In the Men’s B Singles, Scott White posted a 6-2, 6-2 win over Sylas Maranti. In the Men’s Open Doubles, Bill Mountford and Jason Katzer topped Jim Cryan and Todd Weakley, 6-2, 6-2. In the Men’s B Doubles, Oleg Kouznetsov and James Scott emerged with a 2-6, 6-1, 6-2 win over Brian Braun and James Brennan.
In the Women’s Open Doubles final, Tara Korngut and Laura Smeles topped Amy and Sarah Huas, 6-3, 3-6, 6-2. In the Women’s B Singles, Travis Tallman captured the title with a 6-1, 3-6, 6-1 win over Kelly Neylon. And in the Mixed Doubles final, Brad Werner and Debbie Karlen bested Martin Kamara and Mary Neville, 6-3, 6-2.