Young Star Rises as Current Ones Fall
By Joe Nguyen, Staff Writer
September 11, 2005

AURORA, Colo. – A 12-year-old and a pair of giant killers were among those who advanced to the finals on the first day of AsiaXpress.com’s 7th annual tennis tournament.

Nicholas Nguyen, 12, and his partner Dustin Tran advanced in the men’s C bracket after defeating Joe Nguyen and Mark Raleigh 9-7. However, their run was stopped in the finals by Enkhgargal Yademsuren and Orgil Batchuluum who won 9-3

Tommy Le and Chris Tran warming-up prior to their match.

Tuan Doan and Jay Yoshimura played the roles of giant killers as they beat last year’s men’s A runners-up, Alex Le and Tod Nguyen, in the quarterfinals. In the next round, they took down Vu Nguyen, one-half of last year’s championship team, and Minh Tran. Phuc Nguyen, the other half, and Tuan Tran lost in the other semifinal match as Son and Hai Ho moved on to the finals.

Grace Gormise and Debbie Yoder teamed up to capture the women’s title. They beat two-time champions Loan Cao and Christina Tran 9-6.

Brothers Mike and Chris Chong advanced to meet each other in the finals the men’s B bracket. Mike and his partner Vu Nguyen is set to face Chris and his partner Kevin Tran.

Play resumes Sunday at 8 a.m. starting with the men’s A and B finals. The mixed doubles is set to start shortly after.

(from l-r) Men's C Champions Orgil Batchuluum and Enkhgargal Yademsuren with runners-up Dustin Tran and Nicholas Nguyen. (from l-r) Women's Champions Grace Gormise and Debbie Yoder with runners-up Loan Cao and Christina Tran.

Joe Nguyen is a staff writer for asiaXpress.com. You can reach Joe at joe@asiaxpress.com.