Encino’s Amritraj Wins National Final

Second-seeded Prakash Amritraj of Encino defeated No. 8-seeded Doug Stewart of Malibu, 5-7, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4, to win the singles championship match of the U.S. Tennis Assn. Boys’ 18 Super National Hard Court Championships on Sunday in Kalamazoo, Mich.

The match featured two Southern California players for the first time since Kevin Kim of Fullerton defeated Bob Bryan of Camarillo in 1996.

Amritraj, a serve-and-volley player, turned the match in his favor when he began approaching the net more after Stewart, a baseliner, pinned him in the backcourt throughout the first set.

With the victory, Amritraj earned a wild-card entry into the upcoming U.S. Open in New York.

“You can’t ask for anything more,” Amritraj said. “This is a great way to end your junior career, but the best thing about it is the chance to play with the big boys.”

Amritraj, 18, said he plans to test the professional Challenger and Futures circuits rather than return to USC for the fall semester, but may still play for the Trojans next spring.

Fourth-seeded Robert Yim of Glendale defeated top-seeded Brian Baker of Nashville, 7-6 (5), 3-6, 6-4, to take the boys’ 18 third-place playoff.

In the final of the USTA Girls’ 14 Super National Hard Court Championships in College Park, Ga., second-seeded Krysty Marcio of Palm Coast, Fla., defeated ninth-seeded Sarah Fansler of Laguna Niguel, 6-3, 6-3.