WW-P South junior earns chance to win sectional crown
By: Justin Feil
The boys’ tennis season did not begin the way that Dennis Tuan wanted it to, but it still may finish great for the West Windsor-Plainsboro South junior.
Like any tennis match, finishing well means everything.
Tuan, who was a regular at second doubles all last season with Brett Butler, began the season on the outside looking in. He wasn’t in one of the five starting flights for the Pirates until WW-P South started the Central Jersey Group IV state tournament.
"It was pretty tough to sit there and watch the team play," Tuan said. "At the same time, I was happy for the people who were in place of me. They did well."
Tuan played in junior varsity matches and also went 5-1 in substitute appearances in the singles lineup. Tuan, however, found himself in the varsity lineup when Pirates’ head coach Jim Giovacchini changed the first-doubles combination of Greg Kelley and Ben Cornfeld. Tuan began playing with Kelley in WW-P South’s 4-1 win over Steinert last Tuesday and continued in a straight sets win when the Pirates squeaked by Hillsborough, 3-2, Thursday to advance to the CJ IV championship against defending champion East Brunswick 4 p.m. today at South Brunswick High.
"His level of play really increased in the last couple of weeks," Giovacchini said. "I decided to give him a shot with Greg Kelley because I wanted to put Greg Kelley back in the ad side of the tennis court. I was looking ahead at these state matches. Greg and I both agreed he should be on the ad side of the tennis court. Ben is not comfortable playing on the deuce side. Ben’s comfortable on the ad.
"I was looking for a partner to put with Greg to get Greg back on the side of the ad court. There were a couple things Dennis needed to improve on to play the deuce side of the tennis court and he’s been able to do that. It’s working out. Greg enjoys playing with him. They complement each other well."
Tuan is grateful to be back in the starting lineup, particularly because doing so today gives him a chance to avenge a loss last year to East Brunswick. Tuan and Brett Butler lost in straight sets at second doubles in a 3-2 loss to end last season. Tuan has his chance after moving back into the lineup.
"I didn’t think that was going to happen," said the junior. "The five positions we had were pretty good. I’m happy I have the chance to go.
"There is some extra pressure. I want to show that Coach made the right decision."
Tuan and Kelley already came through with two state wins. They’ll need to play well again today to help the Pirates stay undefeated and uphold their No. 1 sectional seeding.
"It would be a big deal," Tuan said. "All season, I’ve been sitting and waiting for my chance. I’ll be very happy if we can get through the sectional title."
Giovacchini is confident that WW-P South can pull out the win today with a lineup that was pushed by Hillsborough on Thursday. Leland Richardson and Russell Nitzberg won at second and third singles, respectively, while first-singles Shintaro Mori and Stephen and Stewart Fernandez were beaten in three sets at second doubles. Richardson earned the final point when he rallied from a 5-3 deficit in the third set for the win.
"We advanced by the skin of our teeth," said Giovacchini, whose team improved to 22-0 Thursday. "We were lucky to get through this one. I knew Hillsborough was going to pose a difficult challenge for us. The way we match up with Hillsborough, I knew it would be tough. I was expecting a close match. I didn’t expect it to be this close. They are a good team. They are a battle-tested team."
Kelley and Tuan were the first to win a point Thursday, 6-4, 6-3, a step toward the big finish for which Tuan is hoping.
"He had a rough start to the season," Giovacchini said. "Since the end of April, he’s done a complete 180. I’m really proud of him. I think he’ll be a big key to our postseason success."
Cornfeld, too, could find himself back in the starting lineup if the Pirates make a switch at second doubles. The left-hander doesn’t have the state experience of Tuan, but he’s proven he can win big matches as he and Kelley captured the county first-doubles crown. He’ll play with Kelley in the state doubles tournament as well. But until then, it’s likely to be Tuan with Kelley.
"I feel pretty confident with Greg," Tuan said. "This is our first time together. It’s been easy. My game complements his. We work well together."
Tuan has experience in big matches from last season. Today, he’ll play in the biggest match of the season with a chance to bring the Pirates their first sectional title since 1999.
"This year, I’m really hoping for a win after last year’s disappointing loss," Tuan said. "I think me and Greg should be fine. I hope we can win to pay them back for last year."
With each match together, the two grow more comfortable together. Tuan, a serve-and-volley player in singles play, brings strong net skills to the tandem. In Thursday’s win, they showed how far they’ve come in a short time.
"We played better," Tuan noted. "Our serves were going well and our return of serves were good."
Tuan worked hard in the offseason to prepare for this year. He had hoped to build on last year’s first season of varsity play.
"Coming into the season, I thought I had a good chance of being on varsity," Tuan said. "I thought I’d be at first doubles. So I’m back where I thought I’d be."
It just took a while. But it’s not where you start. It’s where you finish.
"I told them at the beginning of season, a lot more guys than seven would be contributing to our success," Giovacchini said. "It’s not like last year, where we had seven guys and then a drop-off. I’d say we’re a good solid 10 deep. They all want to play and I’m trying to accommodate that. We’re trying to win at least a sectional title and I’m also trying to get as many kids as I can to contribute to our success."
Dennis Tuan is thrilled with the chance to be a part of some of that success. After a rough start, he could finish up a sectional champion.

