Sheng Turns Tables to Win Singles Title

First impressions were deceiving Saturday at the Southern Section individual championships as Phil Sheng of Thousand Oaks rebounded to defeat Nick Weiss of Calabasas, 0-6, 6-1, 6-3, at Seacliff Tennis Club in Huntington Beach.

Weiss, a junior, thoroughly whipped Sheng in the first set, winning 27 of 36 points.

But out of frustration grew perseverance for the top-seeded Sheng, a sophomore.

“[Weiss] was playing really well,” Sheng said. “He made me miss [constantly]. Going into the second set, I knew as long as I kept playing I’d be OK. . . . I thought if he let up--like he did--I knew I’d have it.”

Weiss who won three of the first five games at love, found trouble beginning with the first game of the second set.

Sheng broke Weiss, who lost on four unforced errors, including a forehand shot that sailed wide on break point.

Weiss, who spent nine months training last year at the Chris Evert Tennis Academy in Florida, knew Sheng would find his game.

“I knew it was coming,” Weiss said. “I knew he wouldn’t let me beat him, [6-0, 6-0].”

Tied at 3-3 in the third set, Sheng won the next game with three aces and a service winner. By then, Weiss looked deflated.

In doubles, top-seeded David Gleiberman and Goh Fukugaki of Palos Verdes Peninsula defeated third-seeded Sameer Chopra and Christian Jensen of Corona del Mar, 7-5, 7-6 (7-3).