With a few exceptions (Lauren Embree and Reid Carleton come to mind) Southwest Florida, and certainly Fort Myers, has not been a hotbed for junior players with top national rankings. Josh Wardell did his best to reverse that trend during the 20th Forida Open Championships, a Level 3 national event featuring players from around the country.Josh played in the boys 16s, and eliminated three seeded players in his first four matches without a hint of dropping a set before meeting the No.1 seed, Anton Kovrigin from Rockville, Maryland. Midway and late into the first set it appeared as though Josh was going to pull off yet another upset.
After being down an early break, Josh rallied with a break of his own in the eighth game to get back on serve at 4-4. He then held his next two service games and had the top seed serving to stay in the first set. Unfortunately for Josh, Kovrigin served well at 5-6 and Josh appeared to succumb to the moment in the tiebreak.
Josh fell behind early again in the second set before getting back on serve at 3-4, but failed to hold serve in the eighth game. Kovrigin had little trouble serving out the match for a 7-6, 6-3 victory.
"The match was a terrific learning experience for Josh," former coach Mike Curran remarked. "He knows that his game is on a level that can compete successfully on the national level in the 16s, and he just turned 14. That really bodes well for his future in the game," Curran continued.
I absolutely agree. With a little more experience at handling the big moment, I believe Josh wins that match. With the focus usually on big brother Michael, TV cameras present, large group of supporters vocalizing, and a good chance to go up a set on the No.1 seed in a national event, I think the young man handled himself quite well for a 14-year-old.
Next time I believe the top seed falls...but then again, Josh may be the top seed next time around. Game, set, match, I'm out!
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