Tennis: Caughren returns to finals

Tony Altobelli

NEWPORT BEACH - Tournament Director Bob Ogle knew what he was doing

when he put Newport Beach’s Ryan Caughren and Corona del Mar’s Parker

Rhodes on the stadium court during Thursday’s play of the War by the

Shore Junior Tennis Classic.

The duo put on quite a show in the boys 12 singles semifinals action,

but when the smoke cleared, it was Caughren who advanced to today’s final

with a 7-5, 6-2 win.

It’s the second trip in a row to a championship final for Caughren in

this tournament. Last year, he reached the final of the boys 10 division,

but fell to Carson’s Florante Sarmiento, 7-5, 1-6, 6-2.

Rhodes started strong and broke Caughren early in the first set, but

Caughren immediately broke back to even the set at 2-2. From there,

Caughren broke again and took a 5-2 lead before Rhodes fought back.

Rhodes used strong court coverage and patience, winning 12 of the next

13 points to even the set at 5-5.

Caughren regrouped and powered his way through his serve to lead, 6-5,

setting up a dramatic 12th game.

Rhodes fought of four different set points to prolong the game.

Finally, Caughren slammed home a winner to take the first set, 7-5.

With some points totaling 10-15 shots per player, both competitors

hung tough in the second set.

The turning point came after Caughren broke Rhodes to go up 2-0. In a

22-point third game, Caughren fought off two break points and had seven

chances to take a 3-0 lead, but Rhodes hung tough. When the smoke

cleared, Caughren took the game and a commanding 3-0 lead.

Each player held their next two serves before Caughren broke Rhodes to

end the 95-minute match.