Stuart's Shane Wins His Semifinal Match

Stuart's Justin Shane continued his march toward the Virginia AAA tennis championship yesterday, cruising past Deep Run's Ian Koontz in the semifinals, 6-4, 6-1. Shane, the All-Met Player of the Year, has yet to lose a set this season.

"I came in with the same strategy I always have," Shane said at Fairfax Racquet Club, where the event was moved because of rain. "Be aggressive and attack their backhand."

The 6-foot-4 junior relied heavily on his length, rarely finding himself out of position and stalking the baseline.

Fairfax senior Sidarth Balaji's season ended with a semifinal loss to top-seeded Kyle Parker of Mills Godwin. Balaji, who lost in the semifinals last season, dropped the first set but was up a service break in the second before Parker rallied for a 6-4, 7-5 win.

"I was just really disappointed that my season ended like that," said Balaji, who slammed his racket to the court after the defeat. "I just let my emotions get the better of me."

Balaji got a chance to avenge the loss only minutes later when he teamed with Jason Luu to take on Parker and Kevin McMillen for a place in the doubles championship. Balaji and Luu jumped out early, taking the first set, 6-2. The pair dropped the second set, 1-6, after making several unforced errors.

Fairfax Coach David Bauer gathered his team and emphasized focus.

"Sid is a really intense player," Bauer said. "But usually when he's intense, it means he's winning. Today was just an emotional day for him."

The third set was a thriller, with Parker and McMillen forcing a tiebreak. But ultimately the Fairfax duo prevailed, 6-2, 1-6, 7-6 (7-4).

In the girls' bracket, Marshall freshman Faby Chaillo continued her dominance. Chaillo swept Atlee's Yasmin Fotovat, 6-2, 6-0, to advance to the championship match today.

"I just tried to come out and be aggressive and use my mental toughness to my advantage," Chaillo said. "She was a really good player. I was very happy to win."

It took Kiersten Pappas three sets to dispatch of top-ranked Emily Hahn from Douglas Freeman. The All-Met senior from Loudoun Valley overcame a stomach virus to defeat Hahn, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2.

Pappas will meet Chaillo in the final, and the two are not exactly strangers on the court.

"We played each other once before, she's such a tough player," Pappas said of their previous meeting in a USTA junior event. "I don't remember the score, but she beat me. I'll just have to use that experience to my advantage tomorrow."

First Loss: Chaillo suffered her first high school defeat when she and Ana Dominguez fell to Hahn and Elena Rusu. The loss brings Chaillo's overall record to 49-1 in singles and doubles heading into today's championship. Rematch Set: Shane and Daniel Santos defeated Deep Run's Koontz and Evan Charles in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4. They will face Balaji and Luu in a rematch of the Northern Region championship, which Balaji and Luu won in straight sets.