Malin Is Qualified, but Fails to Qualify

Gene Malin would love the opportunity to take the court against Michael Chang or Michael Stich in the first round of the Los Angeles Infiniti Open on July 29.

What a startling event that would be, considering the West Hills resident is nearly 50.

A touring pro from 1974-82, Malin won’t qualify for this year’s Infiniti, and the time has arrived when the odds will always be overwhelming against him.

But don’t underestimate him.

Malin, 47, who had an automatic berth into the main draw, reached the round of 16 in the Infiniti Open pre-qualifying on Thursday at the Racquet Centre in Studio City.

He beat Scott Carlton of Upland, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3, in the first round of the main draw.

Carlton, 17, is 30 years younger. A bright student who will be a senior at Damien High, Carlton is being recruited by five Ivy League schools.

He’s wiser for having played Malin.

“I expected to win if I played well, but he’s good,” Carlton said. “He had a stronger serve.”

Said Malin, who overcame stiffness in the first set: “I should beat a junior, because of my experience. I’m doing this as a lark. I’m really not in shape to play this.”

Alas, age and conditioning caught up to Malin, who spends virtually all his time coaching.

Jakub Pietrowski of Huntington Beach eliminated Malin in the second round, 6-3, 6-0. Pietrowski plays No. 2 singles collegiately for Notre Dame.

If Malin were to somehow reach the Infiniti Open someday, he would likely use any media attention to argue for older players.

He believes the United States Tennis Assn. should post large cash prizes for national senior age-group championship events.

Of course, Malin would be fattening his bank account if the USTA decided to adopt this format.

Just six days ago, Malin won the USTA National Hardcourt Championship in the men’s 45-and-over division for the third time in four years.

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Malin wasn’t the only local player to fall at the hands of Pietrowski, Southern California’s top 18-year-old two years ago.

David Manpearl of Encino fell to the tall serve-and-volley player in the first round at the Racquet Centre, 6-1, 6-2.

This is a crucial summer for Manpearl, 21, who will be a senior at Illinois this fall.

The former Brentwood High standout was a celebrated player for the Illini two seasons ago, when he earned Big Ten athlete of the month and Big Ten most improved player honors as a sophomore.

But after setting a school record with 30 victories while playing No. 3 singles, breaking the previous mark of 29 that had stood for 92 years, Manpearl was moved down the ladder. He played as low as No. 6 last year, going 17-8.

“We brought in three new players and the coach wanted to give the freshmen a chance,” Manpearl said. “I spent the second semester on the bench.

“I struggled to keep my confidence. But that’s the way it is in college tennis.”

In preparing for what he hopes is a comeback year, Manpearl beat Malin in the semifinals of the Northridge Grand Prix last month before losing to top-seeded Bobby Rodriguez, 6-3, 6-4, in the final.