Junior Tennis: Di Giulio, Saleh advance in 16s

Newport Beach’s Austin Di Giulio won a marathon match Wednesday to advance in the main draw of the 114th annual Southern California Junior Sectional Tennis Championships.

Di Giulio, seeded No. 5 in the boys’ 16s, rallied to defeat Alex Scemanenco of Cardiff, 6-7, 7-6, 6-3, in the round of 32. He will play No. 9-seeded Naevin Anukornchaikul of Irvine in the round of 16 on Friday at 10 a.m. at La Habra Tennis Center.

Andre Saleh of Newport Beach also advanced in the boys’ 16s with a 6-3, 6-1 win over David Arkow of Los Angeles. Saleh, seeded No. 9, will play top-seeded Brandon Nakashima of San Diego in the round of 16, also Friday at 10 a.m. at La Habra Tennis Center.

In girls’ 18s action, No. 9-seeded Parris Todd of Newport Beach beat Rena Lin of Northridge, 6-2, 6-4, in the round of 32. Todd will play No. 4-seeded Sydney Van Alphen of Laguna Beach in the round of 16 Friday at 1 p.m. at Los Caballeros Racquet and Sports Club.

Newport Beach resident Leyden Games stayed alive in the 14s by topping Taylor Cataldi of Corona, 6-1, 6-1. Games, the No. 9 seed, plays No. 5-seeded Jenna DeFalco of Tustin in the round of 16 at 11 a.m. Friday at Costa Mesa Tennis Center. Costa Mesa’s Maxi Duncan will also play at the same time and venue after winning her round-of-32 match via default. Duncan faces Ashley Kua of Valencia.

Other locals were eliminated from main-draw action Thursday in the round of 32, though they will still play consolation matches. They included Mackenzie Worsnop and Danielle Willson of Newport Beach in the girls’ 18s, and Max McKennon of Newport Beach in the boys’ 16s.

— Matt Szabo

— Matt Szabo