Enid’s Fike advances to championship match

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August 2, 2008

By Bruce Campbell, Staff Writer The Enid News and Eagle Sat Aug 02, 2008, 12:05 AM CDT

Enid’s Owen Fike didn’t feel any pressure being the Boys 14-Under No. 1 seed at the Chick-fil-A Enid Junior Open tennis tournament, which began Friday at Oakwood Country Club and the Ninth Street Courts.

“Those are only numbers,’’ he said. “If you’re the best one in the tournament, you’re going to win it.’’

Fike made a strong argument by advancing to today’s 1:15 p.m. final by beating Edmond’s Kyle Koppenhaver 6-0, 6-3 and Ponca City’s Cole Trotter 6-0, 6-1. He’ll face No. 2 seed Alexander Yozzo, of Ponca City, in the championship match.

“I was playing better than usual today,’’ Fike said. “Everything I was doing — my serve, my backhand and my forehand — I was doing better than I usually do.

The only game he lost against Trotter was at 5-0, when Fike had two double faults. None of the other games went to deuce.

“It definitely helps being able to play at home,’’ Fike said. “The home court advantage is always nice to have.’’

Fike was aggressive in both matches going to the net for winners.

“I’ve been a little more aggressive,’’ he said. “I’ve gotten bigger and stronger and I’m able to hit the ball a lot harder.’’

Unseeded Gabrielle Dick advanced to the Girls 14-Under finals by beating fellow Enid players Madison Blevins 6-0, 6-0 and Macy Zaloudek 7-6 (7-3), 6-4 in a marathon semifinal.

“I just tried to keep the ball in play until she made a mistake,’’ Dick said. “You have to be patient against a player like Macy. It feels good to be in the finals.’’

Zaloudek upset top-seeded Kelsey Jantz, of Tulsa, 6-1, 6-1 in the first round.

Dick will face Perry’s Lauryn Sullins, who won both of her matches in straight sets in the 9:15 a.m. final at Oakwood today.

Top-seeded Eliza Fike, Owen’s sister, advanced to the Girls 10-Under semifinals with a 6-2, 6-0 win over Savannah Price. She’ll face Hailey Christian, of Chesapeake, Va., in a 9 a.m. semifinal today at the Ninth Street Courts.

No. 3 seed Gabriela Langston, of Ponca City, and No. 2 seed Savannah Blasi, of Enid, meet in the other semifinal. The finals will be at 11:30 a.m.

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Enid’s Fike advances to championship match

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