Tennis: Taft’s Tchan isn’t a big believer in brotherly love

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One down, one to go. No wait, make that: One brother down, one to go.

Taft’s Josh Tchan defeated Ken Mrktchian of Sherman Oaks CES, 7-5, 6-4, in Wednesday’s City Section individual semifinal at the Balboa Sports Complex in Encino to advance to Monday’s finals against someone very close to Mrktchian -- his little brother, Dennis.

The younger Mrktchian, a freshman at SOCES, defeated North Hollywood’s Dillon Klincke, 7-5, 6-3, in the other semifinal Wednesday. Following his match, and Tchan’s victory over his older brother, Dennis and his coach, Bobby Frederick, turned their attention toward avenging the loss.

‘Ken, Dennis and Josh know each other pretty well, but I don’t think Josh is going to be invited over to the Mrktchian house for the holidays if he wins again,’’ Frederick said. ‘Give Josh credit, he’s tough. He’s like playing against a wall, the ball keeps coming back.’’

Ken figured that out quickly Wednesday after Tchan jumped to a 3-0 lead in the first set and held off numerous rallies thereafter. Trailing, 4-3, in the second set, the Taft junior held serve and then broke Mrktchian to essentially demoralize his opponent.

‘Me, Ken, Dennis have a long history off the court. On the court, it’s all business though,’’ Tchan said. ‘Ken is a tough competitor. He battled out there today. He always does. Dennis plays the same way. Our match is going to be a fight to the end.

‘I’m going into the finals with the same approach I’ve had all year. I expect to see an opponent on the other side of the net, I guess this time it will be Dennis. It’s my job to go out there and win.’’

-- Sean Ceglinsky