Saratoga News

Seitenberg, Ariko team for doubles title

By Dick Sparrer

Dennis Seitenberg was one of the many unseeded players heading into the opening round of 64 in the United States Tennis Association's Junior Championships at Alpine Hills last week.

Shows you what the USTA officials know.

More accurately, Seitenberg showed officials what they didn't know when he worked his way through the field to win the boys 18s singles title in the prestigious tournament.

The Cupertino tennis sensation won six straight matches, including a win over No. 1 seed Neil Berman of Palo Alto in the quarter-finals, to claim the title. Not only did Seitenberg win the singles crown, but he also teamed with Ryan Ariko of Saratoga to nail the boys 18s doubles championship in the USTA Junior event.

Seitenberg opened the tourney with a 6-2, 6-0 win over Brian Teal of Santa Rosa in the round of 64 before beating Matthew Barrett of San Rafael in the round of 32.

The Cupertino star knocked off No. 6 seed Sean Dixon of San Francisco 6-4, 6-4 to move into the quarter-finals against Berman.

After beating the No. 1 seed, Seitenberg battled from behind to edge No. 5 seed Ariko 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, then he whipped No. 4 seed Andy Sweat in straight sets 6-1, 6-0 to clinch the title.

Ariko, a seeded player from Saratoga, drew a bye in the first round before opening with an easy straight-set win over Gokhan Gunan of Orinda. He cruised to a 6-0, 6-0 win over Dean Yuen Wong of Hillsborough before handling William Wong of Benicia 7-6 (7-5), 6-2 in the quarter-finals. He lost a match later to Seitenberg, but later they teamed up to take the doubles title.

Peter Rickgauer of Saratoga opened with a 6-1, 6-3 win over Douglas Truitt of Merced before losing 1-6, 6-1, 6-4 to Kai Salocks of Lafayette.

Brian Doore of Saratoga went three sets before losing 1-6, 6-0, 7-5 to Christopher Meyer of Berkley, and Joshua Weiner of Monte Sereno dropped a heartbreaker 6-2, 7-6 (7-5) to Glen Smith.

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