First Serve Entertainment Men’s Tennis Championship
USTA Challenger Results

Saturday

At Braemar Country Club
Tarzana, Ca.
Purse: $50,000
Surface: Hard-Outdoor

Singles - Semifinals

Eric Taino, United States, def. Bjorn Phau, Germany, 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4

Brian Vahaly, United States, def. Bob Bryan, United States, 7-6 (6), 1-6, 6-1

Taino and Vahaly Advance to Finals of  First Serve Entertainment Tennis Championship

By Fred Sidhu

Tarzana, Ca. – Americans Eric Taino and Brian Vahaly won semifinal matches to advance to Sunday’s final of the $50,000 First Serve Entertainment Tennis Championship at the Braemar Country Club.

Taino, ranked 252 on the ATP’s Entry System, defeated Germany’s Bjorn Phau, 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4 in two hours.

Vahaly, who defeated Michael Chang in the first round, eliminated fellow American, Bob Bryan, 7-6 (6) 1-6, 6-1 in two-hours and 19 minutes.

“He (Bryan) makes you hit so many balls and the rallies are so long,” Vahaly said. “In the third set I really felt like I picked up my game again and played the kind of tennis I needed to play to win.”

Vahaly’s victory over Bryan was highlighted by the fourth game of the third set, which lasted 24 points. Vahaly eventually held serve for a 4-0 lead and went on to win the match.

The 22-year-old Vahaly reached the 2001 NCAA singles final while playing for the University of Virginia. He is ranked 196.

Both Taino and Vahaly entered the main draw as qualifiers.

General admission is $12. Kids under 18 can purchase tickets for $6. Box seats are available. For ticket information, call (818) 345-3230.

Sunday’s finals begin at noon.

The First Serve Entertainment Men’s Tennis Championship is a $50,000 Challenger event. The tournament is part of the United States Tennis Association Professional Circuit.