Noah Rubin of Merrick Captures Boys 16s USTA International Spring Championship

April 11, 2011 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
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In the Boys 16s finals of the USTA International Spring Championships, 14th-seeded Noah Rubin of Merrick, N.Y., overcame a 4-1 deficit in the third-set tiebreaker to prevail, 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (5), over sixth-seeded Nikko Madregallejo of nearby Duarte, Calif.

"When I got behind, all I kept thinking was that I’ve been out here way to long so I’d better get the trophy I want," said the 15-year-old Rubin, who will also play in the 16s Division at the Easter Bowl. "He’s a tough player and he kept coming back. I couldn’t believe it when that last forehand went long.

Rubin built 4-1 leads in the second and third sets, but couldn’t close his opponent out. Madregallejo broke to tie the second set 5-5, took a 6-5 lead on a forehand crosscourt winner and leveled the match when Rubin hit a backhand wide. In the third set, Rubin broke to take a 6-5 lead but was broken right back, forcing a decisive tiebreaker when Rubin finally prevailed, to win the championship.
 


Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
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