Seventeen Tournament of Champions : Sampras Is Overpowered by Top-Seeded London in 18-and-Under Semifinal

Top-seeded Stephanie London of Rolling Hills used strong groundstrokes to overpower Stella Sampras of Rancho Palos Verdes Friday, 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, and advance to the final round of Seventeen Magazine’s Tournament of Champions.

London, a 16-year-old sophomore at Miraleste High School, will meet Nicole Arendt of Princeton, New Jersey at 1 p.m. today for the 18-and-under division title at the Marguerite Recreation Center in Mission Viejo.

Arendt defeated Lisa Green of San Jose, 5-7, 6-3, 6-3, in Friday’s other 18-and-under semifinal match.

London, who is seeking her first major junior title, won the opening two games in all three sets against Sampras. But being ahead, she said, is not always a blessing.

“I’ve been ahead in every match for four rounds in this tournament, but I’ve let up and my mind starts wandering,” London said.

London suffered a lapse in the second set against Sampras. Sampras had difficulty placing her shots most of the hot afternoon, but she was accurate in the second set.

Sampras’ fine backhand shot helped her tie London, 2-2, and she went on to win the set, 6-3. But a 10-minute break seemed to kill Sampras’ momentum. She appeared fatigued in the deciding set.

“I think I tired her out,” London said. “I was tired, too. I just didn’t let it show. I think I’m in a little better shape than Stella.”

London and Sampras both play at the Jack Kramer Tennis Club in Rolling Hills and have the same coach, Ross Walker. They have been opponents in several other junior tournaments.

London was pleased with her play, especially her groundstrokes and serve, but said she isn’t completely satisfied.

“I think my game has been fine at this tournament, but my mental aspect needs some work,” she said. “My concentration is lacking.”

In other semifinal action, top-seeded Deborah Graham of Fountain Valley was upset by Iwalani McCalla of Los Altos, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, in the 16-and-under division. McCalla will meet Deirdre Herman of Harrisburg, Pa. for the division title at 11:30.

Herman advanced by virtue of her 6-1, 6-2, win over Jessica Emmons of Phoenix.

In the 14-and-under division, Kimberly Po of Rollings Hills defeated Veena Prabhakar of Bonita, 6-1, 6-1, to reach the finals. Po will meet Carrie Cunningham of Livonia, Mi. at 10 a.m. for the title.

Cunningham was a 6-2, 2-6, 6-3, winner over Laxmi Poruri of Upland in her semifinal match.