Madigan wins back-to-back titles at Labor Day Tournament

Sohum Gurrapu and Hunter Madigan pose with doubles trophies

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Sohum Gurrapu (left) and Hunter Madigan pose with their double trophies after the Open Men's Doubles championship match.

Hunter Madigan defended his singles crown while teaming with Sohum Gurrapu for the doubles title at the Champaign Labor Day Tennis Tournament.

CHAMPAIGN - For the second straight year, Hunter Madigan left no doubt about his place at the top of the Champaign Park District Labor Day Tournament. The top-seeded Madigan claimed the men’s open singles title with a run that ended in a championship victory over 15-year-old Sohum Gurrapu, a sophomore at Champaign Central, in his first appearance in the open division title match.

It took Madigan, a senior at St. Thomas More High School, three sets to defeat Gurrapu 3-6, 6-1, 1-0(5).

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

David Molitor poses for a photo with his sons after winning the Beginner/Intermediate Open Singles divison. Molitor defeated Jay Rafi 6-1, 6-0 in the title match on Monday. See the list of this year's champions at the bottom of this article.

Madigan, who also qualified for the IHSA Tennis State Finals in May, dominated early-round matches. He opened with a 6-0, 6-0 shutout of Binghong Chen, then rolled past Joe Settelmyer 6-1, 6-0 in the quarterfinals. After edging David Diep in a tiebreak, Madigan stopped Daniel Canivez in a 6-0, 7-5 semifinal before earning his second consecutive title.

Gurrapu, meanwhile, made his way to the final with a breakout performance. He began with a 6-3, 6-1 win over Lang Liu before defeating former Champaign Centennial standout Daniel O’Brien, 6-3, 6-2. In the semifinal, Gurrapu held off Alejandro Gomez, a high school state finalist, in a tightly contested 7-5, 6-4 match to secure his spot opposite Madigan.

In the singles final, Madigan’s experience and steady play proved decisive against Gurrapu, who nonetheless established himself as a rising talent in the area’s tennis scene.

"Playing against him in singles is tough," Gurrapu said. "It went pretty well the first set. I was hitting pretty well, hitting some winners."

He pointed out that the second set was different story.

"In the second set, Hunter picked up his level and I think I kind of lowered mine," he said recapping the title match drama. "It was still a good tournament overall."

The tournament concluded with the men’s open doubles championship, where Madigan and Gurrapu joined forces. Facing veteran duo Sam Ryu and Lino Jo, the high school players showed poise in a straight-set victory, 6-4, 6-4, completing a memorable tournament sweep.

Photos: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

LEFT: Hunter Madigan lines up a big forehand shot during the Men's Open doubles match with Sohum Gurrapu. MIDDLE: Sohum Gurrapu slices back a serve from Sam Ryu during the Labor Day Tournament's title match on Monday. RIGHT:Ari Velasquez is all smiles with his first-place tournament trophy and swag bag. Velasquez won the Boy's 12-and-under title on Monday.

Madigan said Gurrapu is a fun partner to play with. After all, the pair have shared a friendship tempered by more than a half of decade of competition.

"The way he plays just works really with me."

Gurrapu sang praises for his partner.

"His serves are amazing. I mean his kick serve just make it too easy for me at the net," he said. "Playing singles against him is tough. I hate playing against it (the kick serve). In doubles, it's just amazing, especially when he is your partner."

Complete Champaign Park District Labor Day Tournament championship results:

Men’s Open Singles:
Main Draw Final: Hunter Madigan defeated Sohum Gurrapu 3-6, 6-1, 1-0(5)
Consolation Final: David Diep defeated Yannick Kluch 6-0, 6-1

Beginner/Intermediate Open Singles:
Main Draw Final: David Molitor defeated Jay Rafi 6-1, 6-0
Consolation Final: Christine Powell defeated Can Huang by default

Men’s 35 Singles Round Robin:
Deciding match for 1st & 2nd place: Michael Bantz defeated Charles Sikora 6-4, 7-5

Men’s 45 Singles:
Main Draw Final: Nitin Bhosale defeated Daniel Morris 3-6, 7-6(5), 1-0(4)
Consolation Final: Alex Ramos defeated Eduard Kirr 6-4, 6-0

Men’s 65 Singles Round Robin:
Deciding match for 1st & 2nd place: Steve Fentem defeated Scott Aikman 6-2, 7-5

Boy’s 12 Singles:
Main Draw Final: Ari Velasquez defeated Yususf Malik 3-0 retired
Consolation Final: William Guo defeated Edward Dyer 6-0, 6-0

Men’s Open Doubles:
Main Draw Final:
Hunter Madigan & Sohum Gurrapu defeated Sam Ryu & Lino Jo 6-4, 6-4
Consolation Final:
Eduard Kirr & Christopher Stewart defeated Elijah Walker & Tuong Dang by default

Mixed Open Doubles:
Main Draw Final::
M.K. Kim & Angad Mehta defeated Kyo Nakanishi & Paul Cheung 4-6, 6-2, 1-0(3)
Consolation Final:
Kym Man & Kevin Kim defeated Can Huang & Lang Liu 6-0, 6-1

Tennis players give their all at Labor Day Tournament in Champaign

Lino Jo plays in the Labor Day Tennis Tournament

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

CHAMPAIGN - Lino Jo, of Champaign, lines up a volley while playing the open division championship match at the Champaign Park District's annual Labor Day Tournament on Monday. Jo and partner, Sam Ryu, lost in two sets 6-4, 6-4, to Sohum Gurrapu and Hunter Madigan to finish in the runner-up spot.

Photo Gallery |
Local tennis players vie for championship titles

Tournament director Yuri Sohn (left) and Sendhil Kumaran pose for a photo after the awards ceremony for the Men's 45 and over division at the Champaign Park District Labor Day Tennis Tournament. Kumaran won this year's title after defeating Daniel Morris in the championship match, 6-1, 6-3, on Monday.

LEFT: Stepping into the court to hit an aggressive ball, Scott Aikman sets up a point during his consolation bracket championship match against Kevin Martlage. Aikman won the match 6-1, 7-6(4). MIDDLE: RIGHT: Kevin Martlage hits a routine backhand during his match against Aikman during the second set.

All photos by Sentinel / Clark Brooks

LEFT: Kevin Martlage stretches out to put the ball back over the net on a wide shot from Scott Aikman during their consolation championship match. RIGHT: Aikman, who is ranked #4 in the country by the USTA in Men's 75 and over category, hits a put-away volley to end the point.

LEFT: Tim O'Brien rips a one-handed backhand during his Men's Open Division championship match against Hunter Madigan. After dropping the first set 6-3, O'Brien dominated play in the second, forcing a third-set tie-break with at 6-1 win. When the dust cleared after a 10-point breaker, O'Brien finished runner-up, losing the decider, 10-4. MIDDLE: Travis Davis keeps the in play during his doubles match against Ryan Smith and Helaman Lucas on Labor Day. Davis and partner Anish Bose did not advance after the semifinal. RIGHT: Ayrton Nascimento unleashes a ground stroke while playing Trey Smith for the Beginner/Intermediate Singles Consolation title. Nascimento, a visiting scholar from Brazil, won the match after three-set marathon, 2-6, 6-4, 1-0(6).

Helaman Lucas stretches out to poach a short ball while playing with Ryan Smith during their Men’s Open Doubles Consolation semifinal match. The duo advanced to the title bout, winning it 6-2, 7-5, over Hamed Kadiani & Nick Levanti.

LEFT: Trey Smith hits a textbook volley at the net while playing during the second set of his match with Ayrton Nasciemento. Winning the first set 6-2, Lady Luck was not in his favor as he dropped the next two, 6-4, 10-6. MIDDLE: Yuri Sohn updates tournament results on the fly. Sohn is the head teaching pro at Dodds Tennis Center in Champaign and tournament director. RIGHT: Shaun Peterson comtemplates his next serve while playing doubles with partner Jason Zumwalt during their semifinal match against Hunter Madigan and Wyatt Martin. Peterson and Zumwalt went on to win the Men's Open Doubles title.

LEFT: Wyatt Martin rushes forward to attack a drop shot from Jason Zumwalt during their semifinal doubles match. MIDDLE: Paul Cheung hits a routine forehand during his mixed-doubles match against Sarah Benevento & Chris Kuehn. Cheung, and partner Molly Tracy, won the division title, going 2-0 in round robin play. RIGHT: Molly Tracy keeps the rally going with a backhand shot down the middle of the court.

LEFT: Chris Kuehn, a longtime veteran in the local tennis scene, hits a neutral rally ball while playing mixed doubles. MIDDLE: Sarah Benevento celebrates a point with Kuehn. The pair, who won last year's title, finished second at this year's tournament. RIGHT: Sangwon Park serves during the Beginner/Intermediate Singles final. Park won the division after besting Andrew Flores, 6-2, 6-1.

RIGHT: Lino Jo hits a low volley in an exchange at the net while playing doubles against Tim and Daniel O'Brien during their semifinal match in the Men's Open Doubles division. Jo and partner Sam Ryu fell in straight sets 6-2, 6-2 to the O'Brien brothers. LEFT: Daniel O'Brien celebrates his doubles win with brother Tim before playing in the title match an hour later against Shaun Peterson and Jason Zumwalt.

Sam Ryu and Tim O'Brien shake hands while Lino Jo and Daniel O'Brien congratulate each other after their semifinal match in the Men's Doubles Open division.

LEFT: Molly Tracy and Paul Cheung, winners of the Mixed-Doubles division, pose with their swag bags. In lieu of trophies as in past years, this year's champions received a shoulder bag containing a tournament t-shirt, water bottle, racquet overgrips, ink pens, and string dampners. MIDDLE: Hamed Kadiani concentrates on hitting a two-handed backhand while playing with partner Nick Levanti for the consolation bracket title. RIGHT: Nick Levanti hits a slice overhead shot back over the net while playing with Kadiani during their match against Helaman Lucas and Ryan Smith.

Six champions crowned at Champaign Labor Day tennis tournament

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Jason Zumwalt takes advantage of a weak ball from his opponents during the Men's Open title match at the annual park district Labor Day tennis tournament on Monday. Zumwalt and partner Shaun Peterson, who won the division a year ago, continued their reign as champions for another year after defeating Tim and Daniel O'Brien in two sets, 7-5, 6-1.

CHAMPAIGN - Hunter Madigan dropped just three sets in his four matches at this weekend's Champaign Park District Labor Day Tennis Tournament. Last year's Junior Boys 16-and-under champion, Madigan secured the Men's Open division title, besting former Centennial High School standout Tim O'Brien in a marathon 6-3, 1-6, 1-0(4) finish on Sunday afternoon.

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Hunter Madigan rips a forehand shot back over the net during his title match again Tim O'Brien. Madigan finished his sophomore season at St. Thomas More with an 18-6 singles record, and went 2-2 at the Class 1A state tournament this spring. He survived the three-set showdown against O'Brien, who had given up just nine games in his first three matches, 5-7, 7-5, 1-0(5).

Madigan started his run through the adult bracket with a quick, double breadstick win over Youngjoo Jing, 6-1, 6-1. He advanced to the quarterfinals to face Charles Crawmer, who cruised past David Sale, 6-0, 6-0, in their second-round matchup.

Crawmer easily took the first set from the 17-year-old upstart, 6-2. The second set was a different story. Madigan changed his strategy and battled to a 5-5 tie before Crawmer retired.

Hyeonmin Jeong, who cruised through his first two matches with double bagels, was the next victim to fall at the hands of the youthful Madigan. In the three USTA-sanctioned tournaments he played earlier this summer, Jeong beat seven of the nine opponents he faced and won the title at the Outdoor Summer Extravaganza @ JTCC. Unfortunately, Madigan proved to be too much, taking both sets, 6-4, 6-0.

Meanwhile, Jason Zumwalt and Shaun Peterson reprised their winning doubles duo to claim the Men's Open Doubles title in an all-Charger affair. Zumwalt, the boys head coach at Centennial High School, and his assistant, Peterson, took on brothers Tim and Daniel O'Brien, both former players at the school, in the final match of the tournament.

In a sport where youth and agility are clear advantages, Zumwalt and Peterson, senior to the O'Briens in combined age, secured the title with a 7-5, 6-1 victory.

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Helaman Lucas uses his quick reflexes while playing at the net during his consolation semifinal doubles match against Travis Davis and Anish Bose on Monday. Lucas and his doubles partner Ryan Smith went on to win the Open Division consolation title.

In the past, championship and consolation bracket winners received trophies for their efforts. This year's champions received a swag bag filled with tennis accessories.

"Trophies are getting expensive," said tournament director Yuri Sohn, who is also the head tennis professional at Dodds Tennis Center in Champaign. "We wanted to try something different this year."

Inside the branded racquet bag given to division champions was a tournament T-shirt, racquet overgrips, a water bottle, ink pens, and racquet dampeners.

Below are this weekend's championship results:

Men’s Open Singles Final:
Hunter Madigan defeated Tim O'Brien 6-3, 1-6, 1-0(4)

Men’s Open Singles Consolation Final:
Youngjoo Jung defeated L. Vergari 5-7, 7-5, 1-0(5)

Men’s 45 Singles Final:
Sendhil Kumaran defeated Daniel Morris 6-1, 6-3

Men’s 45 Singles Consolation Final:
Scott Aikman defeated Kevin Martlage 6-1, 7-6(4)

Beginner/Intermediate Singles Final:
Sangwon Park defeated Andrew Flores 6-2, 6-1

Beginner/Intermediate Singles Consolation Final:
Ayrton Nascimento defeated Trey Smith 2-6, 6-4, 1-0(6)

Boy’s 12 Singles Final: William Guo defeated Jason Cheng 6-4, 6-1

Boy's 12 Singles Consolation Final:
Declan Downing defeated Nathanael Saldeen 7-5, 6-3

Men’s Open Doubles Final:
Jason Zumwalt & Shaun Peterson defeated Tim O'Brien & Daniel O'Brien 7-5, 6-1

Men’s Open Doubles Consolation Final:
Helaman Lucas & Ryan Smith defeated Hamed Kadiani & Nick Levanti 6-2, 7-5

Mixed Open Doubles Round Robin:
1st place Paul Cheung & Molly Tracy
2nd place Sarah Benevento & Chris Kuehn
3rd place Rhoda Lewis & Francesco Botticella