San Diego Section Tennis : Chang Brothers Reach Final, Again

Carl Chang will get a chance to avenge his loss to younger brother Michael in the 1986 San Diego Section tennis final when the San Dieguito High School teammates meet today at the San Diego Tennis and Racquet Club.

Top-seeded Michael, who won the section title last year as an eighth-grader, used hard overhead slams to defeat Chris Numbers of Valhalla, 6-1, 6-3, in a semifinal match last Friday. Carl, the No. 2 seed, defeated No. 3 Tom Phanco of Bishops, 6-2, 6-2.

In the doubles semifinals, the Vista team of Ian Skidmore and Mike Brown defeated Coronado’s John Park and Pat Henson, 7-5, 6-4. Skidmore and Brown will play the Torrey Pines team of Mark Ellison and Chris Swortwood today. Skidmore and Paul Richards won the doubles title last year.

Ellison and Swortwood defeated Jim Randerson and Dick Eastley of Point Loma, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, last Friday.

The Chang brothers, who practice together almost daily, have strikingly different styles. Michael is a scrambler and counter-puncher known for his strategic approach. Carl, who will attend California next year on a tennis scholarship, is a power player.

Carl, 18, has won the last three matches the brothers have played, including a 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 victory over Michael, 14, in the Palomar League championship two weeks ago.

“I think I will have to play aggressively and consistently, with no unforced errors,” Carl said. “It will be fun. We’ll just be going out there and playing tennis. It’s tough to get serious in these matches. . . . We’ve played each other so many times.”

Said Michael: “I’m comfortable with the way I’m playing now. When I’m comfortable, I go out there more relaxed; I play better that way.”