Springfield – Lower Merion High School senior Brian Yi captured the PIAA District 1 3A singles tournament title April 20 at the Springfield YMCA, defeating Conestoga’s Ethan Sun in the championship finals, 6-3, 6-0.
“I had to bring my A game against Ethan,” said Yi. “He’s a really good player, and he gave me a run for my money.”
Yi, who won the Central League singles tournament earlier this month, was the first seed in the District 1 3A singles tournament. After an opening bye, Yi defeated Penncrest senior Brady Huggett, 6-0, 6-0; then beat Radnor senior Antonio Fidelibus, 6-1, 6-0 to advance to the semfinals. In the semifinal, against Lower Merion teammate Nathan Dolgushev, Yi prevailed by a score of 7-6 (7-1), 6-4.
“Against Nathan, I played good defense and was able to get to his tough shots – and my serve was working well,” said Yi.
Yi, who finished third at the PIAA 3A state singles tournament last year, will play tennis for John Hopkins University next spring.
Sun, who finished second in the Central League singles tournament last week and was the second seed in the District 1 singles tourney, said, “I think the key for me in the semifinal was staying patient, and making sure I made first serve.”
Unionville junior Matt Miller finished third, Dolgushev placed fourth and West Chester East’s Ben Gao was fifth. The top five at the PIAA District 1 3A singles tournament automatically advance to the PIAA 3A singles tournament.
