University’s Aditya Gupta turns his pain into joy, captures Ojai tournament title

Posted by Irvine Sign Company

Posted by Irvine Business Sign Company

University’s Aditya Gupta turned his pain into joy at the 119th Ojai tennis tournament Saturday night.

A year after missing the prestigious tournament because of shin splints, the Penn-bound senior captured the tournament by rallying for a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory against Wally Thayne of Newbury Park in the final under the lights at Libbey Park.

“It feels pretty great especially not being able to play last year,” the top-seeded Gupta said in a phone interview after the victory. “(Winning) was one of my main goals for high school tennis.”

Gupta’s desire to join the storied, championship history at Ojai ran so deep, he decided not to play the Pacific Coast individual tournament Monday and Tuesday, the qualifier for the CIF-SS individual championships.

Gupta said playing both tournaments would have been “too much” and he felt even better about his decision Saturday night.

After struggling with his serve and Thayne’s serve-and-volley attack in the first set, Gupta improved his serve and ball-striking from the baseline in the second and third set to give Orange County its second straight singles champion at Ojai.

Last year, Woodbridge’s Stefan Dostanic won the Ojai tournament. Gupta said he ran into Dostanic earlier Saturday after his 6-4, 6-4 semifinal victory over Chaminade’s Brett Brinkman.

“He really expected me win … so that’s good,” Gupta said of the USC-bound Dostanic, who opted not to play high school tennis this spring. “I think it’s great for the PCL (Pacific Coast League).”

More coverage to come 

[Read More ...]

Posted by Irvine Sign Maker

For Free Sign Estimate Visit: Lighted Channel Letters Irvine ca

Posted by https://goo.gl/TXzGV5