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).
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.
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
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