Poland’s Gardner among final four in state tennis tournament

Staff report

COLUMBUS

Poland High senior tennis player Garrett Gardner has a 9 a.m. date today against the defending Division II state champion.

He couldn’t be more thrilled.

Gardner won two matches Friday to qualify for today’s championship matches at the Ohio State University Courts.

First, Gardner defeated Cincinnati Clark Montessori’s Chris Bak 6-3, 6-0. He then defeated Lima Central Catholic’s Pierre Desprat 6-1, 6-2 in a second-round match.

“It was a historical moment for me,” said Gardner, who qualified as a junior in singles and as a freshman with doubles partner Ken Duncan. Both times, Gardner lost the first match. This time, he’s in the final four.

“Winning that first match was an unbelievable feeling, especially on those courts with that crowd,” Gardner said. “I had a lot of support.

“It felt great,” Gardner said of ousting Bak, “A lot of players lose in the first round and take that long drive back. I am so excited.”

Gardner said the wait between matches was a lot longer than the usual 45 minutes. He said he spent two hours sitting in the shade watching the other matches.

“I really didn’t think about my other match,” said Gardner who drank water and Gatorade to stay hydrated, “I was really excited to watch the other players. Today was all about having fun.”

He said Desprat is an international student from France.

“He didn’t speak much English,” Gardner said. “That’s what’s cool about [state] — getting to meet a lot of different kids.”

Gardner said as the match against Desprat was winding down, he began to get anxious,

“I was getting a little heated and wanted to get off fast, so I was kind of jumping the gun,” Gardner said.

This morning, Gardner’s semifinal match is against Cincinnati Country Day’s Asher Hirsch. They’ve never played.

The other semifinal has Lexington’s Mason Dragos playing Country Day’s JJ Wolf.

Gardner has played Dragos three times and hasn’t won yet.

“He’s a very, very competitive player and a really nice guy,” said Gardner, who isn’t worried about the tournament’s outcome. “I’m excited and will play my hardest. I’ll be happy with any result.”