Poland’s Gardner repeats as district champion
Staff report
CANTON
Poland senior Garrett Gardner won his second straight Division II district tennis title, defeating Gates Mills Hawken’s Dhruv Yadav in Saturday’s finals, 5-7, 6-1, 1-0, at Harvard Park.
Yadav retired in the third set because of an arm cramp, Gardner said.
“I asked him what was wrong and he said he couldn’t hold the racket anymore,” Gardner said. “I think it was arm cramps and leg cramps.”
Gardner, who will make his third state tournament appearance in four years, said both of Saturday’s matches were against familiar foes. Gardner defeated University School’s Rob Stroup 6-3, 6-0 in the semifinals.
“I’ve known Rob my whole life,” said Gardner. “It’s a battle every time we face each other.”
“Dhruv is a good competitor,” Gardner continued. “And it’s always a really good match-up between us.”
Gardner said his two Friday victories — which clinched a spot in the state tournament — helped him in Saturday’s action.
“I think the wins Friday took the pressure off of me today,” Gardner said. “I was ready to execute all day if I had to.”
In addition to playing freely, Gardner felt the difference in his performance was his fitness and speed on the court.
“I think the mental side of the game helped me today,” Gardner said. “I was hustling for every ball, kept pumping myself up and whenever something went wrong I just stayed on task.”
Going into the state tournament, Gardner (19-1) hopes to improve on his performance from last year’s tournament, when he lost in the second round to the eventual bronze medalist. Gardner also played in the state doubles tournament as a freshman.
“It’s huge being the No. 1 seed,” Gardner said. “[It] makes the draw easier. It’s still great competition but it makes it easier coming out of the gate. I’m hoping to place at states this year since it will be an easier ride at the beginning. I’m very excited for the tournament.”
The tournament will be Friday and Saturday at Ohio State.