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Warren JFK’s Abdul-Aal fourth in Division II tennis tournament
By doug chapin
Warren JFK senior tennis player Jad Abdul-Aal made his final trip to the state tennis tournament last as long as possible.
After posting two victories in the Division II singles competition on Friday, Abdul-Aal was beaten Saturday in the semifinal round and in the consolation match — but both times in three sets.
“Both players were among the tops in the state and I knew both matches would be long battles,” he said. “I was expecting to go three sets with one, and maybe both, so I was mentally ready. Physically, though, it took a big toll on my body, especially in the last set of the second match.”
Abdul-Aal lost, 6-2, 6-7 (9-11), 6-1, in the semifinals to Patrick Wildman of Cincinnati Country Day School. He then took John Larkin of Cincinnati Seven Hills to three sets in the consolation match, losing 6-1, 5-7, 6-1.
Asher Hirsch, also of Country Day School, defeated his schoolmate, Wildman, in the championship match, 6-4, 6-4, after beating Larkin in the semifinals, 6-1, 6-1.
Last year, when Abdul-Aal lost his opening match to Hirsch, Wildman finished as runner-up and Hirsch was third. Wildman also was third in 2011.
“I definitely think I got closer to them,” Abdul-Aal said when asked if he thought he had improved since last season in comparison to the Cincinnati-area players.
“In the final four I thought we were pretty even, the matches could have gone either way. A few points here or there decided the outcomes.”
Abdul-Aal, who will play tennis and major in finance at John Carroll University, said the wind was a factor in Saturday’s play.
“It was very windy today and I was able to use that to my advantage. I had a couple good points with the wind helping me,” he said. “At times the wind was strong enough that I had one ball I hit over the net and it came back on my side.”
The Mahoning Valley’s two other representatives at state — juniors Garrett Gardner of Poland and Aaron Paczak of Lakeview — both lost Friday in the first round.