Van Patten Fretted as Pupil Nearly Nailed Down a Title

Nels Van Patten certainly has had his moments of nervousness and elation in 10 years as a touring pro and 25 years of coaching, in which he helped his brother, Vincent, reach No. 22 in the world.

But such feelings seem to have sprung anew this week, as one of Van Patten’s students, Brandis Braverman, made a run at the national junior championship.

“I’ve bitten my nails off,” he said. “But it’s thrilling, exhilarating, satisfying.”

Braverman, 16, had long been one of the most-talented players in Southern California, but her achievements had been limited by injuries and inconsistency.

But this week has been a coming-out party for Braverman, who swept five matches in the 18-and-under division before losing in the semifinals Friday, 4-6, 6-4, 6-0, to defending champ Lilia Osterloh in the United States Tennis Assn. junior national championships in San Jose.

From a field of 128, Braverman reached the final four.

“Whenever I take someone on, I expect them to give it their best,” Van Patten said.

Braverman had the tools for success entering the nationals last year--strong ground strokes and a serve that could reach 100 mph--but she was upset in the first round.

Stung by that experience, she returned this year with an improved mental approach.

Maturity was the key to Braverman’s 7-6 (7-2), 6-7 (5-7), 6-2 quarterfinal victory over Holly Parkinson of Houston. After dropping the second set, Braverman regrouped as Parkinson spent five minutes with a trainer.

“She had the momentum at that point,” Braverman said. “But I composed myself, mentally.”

Said Van Patten: “I’ve noticed she’s preparing like a professional. I’ve tried to instill a passion, a love and a respect for the sport, and I really believe she’s embracing it.”

Once next-door neighbors in Encino, Braverman and Van Patten were separated in late June when Braverman’s family moved to Newport Beach.

But their player-coach relationship is stronger than ever.

Braverman lives part time in the Valley and attends Bridges to Learning Academy, a private school. She often spends the night with Van Patten and his wife, Nancy, between training sessions.

“We’d love to adopt her,” Van Patten said.

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The Van Patten brothers, sons of actor Dick Van Patten, who attended Van Nuys High, took their passion for tennis into the studio to produce “The Break,” a full-length motion picture that debuted in theaters in the South last year and will soon be available in video stores and on cable movie networks.

The picture, which Nels describes as a mix between “Bull Durham,” “The Karate Kid” and “Rocky,” focuses on a young man’s struggle to reach the pro tour.

The movie stars Vince Van Patten and Martin Sheen. Vince wrote the screenplay and co-produced the film with brothers Nels and Jimmy.

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Calabasas High has had a long line of championship teams led by top junior players. But the best might be yet to come.

Nick Weiss, 14, is vying for his first national junior championship this week, having reached the semifinals of the national 14-and-under division. He is not sure whether he will attend high school this fall in Malibu or Calabasas, depending on which divorced parent he lives with.

“I’m definitely going to play for Calabasas if I go there,” Weiss said.

Coyote Coach Bob Holycross will likely greet the incoming freshman with open arms. A two-time Southern California junior champion, Weiss is No. 1 in his division.

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As the 1996 junior season draws to a close, Jieun Jacobs will remember how she entered with a bang and exited with a whimper.

The Valencia resident jumped from No. 25 to No. 1 in Southern California in 14s, clinching her local dominance by winning the sectional title in June.

But she was a surprising second-round loser in this week’s nationals as she tried to compete despite an injured left wrist.

To avoid painful backhand strokes, the result of tendinitis, Jacobs, a powerful baseliner, tried to compensate by using a serve-and-volley game.

“It felt awkward,” she said after losing to Amira Samara of Bradenton, Fla., 5-7, 6-3, 6-1. “I might have won that match if I could hit backhands. You can run around your forehand only so many times.

“But at least I’m learning some new strategies that will make me a better player when my wrist gets better.”

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Lester Cook, 12, of Woodland Hills provided a glimpse of a bright future by going 11-0 in the recent USTA zone team championships. Next week he will represent five Western states in the USTA Challenge Cup, a national 12-and-under event in Boca Raton, Fla.

Cook recently toppled Salvadore Bruguera, 14, a cousin of Grand Slam mainstay Sergi Bruguera and the No. 2-ranked 18-and-under player in Spain in a practice set on clay. Cook won, 6-3.