Stewart, Buchanan Advance in Tennis

Defending singles champion Doug Stewart of Malibu High advanced to the round of 16 of the Southern Section boys’ tennis individual tournament after a first-round bye and victories over Atascadero’s Blaine McGurty and Westlake’s Aaron Bert in preliminary matches Saturday at Cate School in Carpinteria.

The senior Stewart is trying to become the first player to win the singles title in consecutive years since Arcadia’s Tom Leonard did it in 1965-66.

Servite’s Patrick Buchanan, the 2001 runner-up, advanced with a 6-3, 6-4 third-round victory over Woodbridge’s Brett Van Linge at Costa Mesa Tennis Center.

Crespi’s Stephen Amritraj, the top-seeded player at Pasadena High, did not show and was defaulted. At the University of Redlands, third-seeded Richard Hingshammer of Upland fell to Granite Hills’ John Siefke.

The tournament continues with the fourth round and quarterfinals Friday and semifinals and finals Saturday at SeaCliff Tennis Club in Huntington Beach.