Taino Defeats Vahaly to Win  First Serve Entertainment Men’s Tennis Championship  

By Fred Sidhu

Tarzana, Ca. – Qualifier Eric Taino overcame fellow American Brian Vahaly, 6-2, 7-6 (6) to win the $50,000 First Serve Entertainment Tennis Championship at the Braemar Country Club.

Taino, ranked 254 in the ATP Entry System, built a 5-2 lead in the first set and served out the set at love.

There were no breaks of serve in the second set. Vahaly nearly won the set, but wasted a set point with Taino serving at 4-5.

Taino’s victory, which took one-hour and 29 minutes, was worth $7,200 and 52 ATP Entry System points which included two points for qualifying.

The 22-year-old Vahaly, who also entered the main draw as a qualifier, defeated top-seeded Michael Chang in the first round on his way to the final.

In the doubles final, third-seeded George Bastl of Switzerland and Neville Godwin of South Africa defeated Brandon Coupe and Kevin Kim of the United States, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.

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.

Doubles - Championship