Shimizu, Tang win B16 doubles

Cody Shimizu, left, and Simon Tang won the boys 16-and-under doubles division of 2021 TanHoldings Tennis Classic last weekend at the American Memorial Park tennis courts. (MARK RABAGO)

Cody Shimizu and Simon Tang held off a challenge from the girls this time to win the boys 16-and-under doubles division of 2021 TanHoldings Tennis Classic last weekend at the American Memorial Park tennis courts.

Shimizu and Tang finished with a 3-0 win-loss record in the round-robin tournament. They started things off with a hard-earned 7-6 (3), 7-5 (5) victory over boys 16-and-under champion Hye Jin Elliot and runner-up Serin Chung.

They got win No. 2 via walkover against Wataru Kadokura and June Yu before capturing the title with a 7-6 (3), 7-5 (5) win over Minseong Kim and Jayden Lim.

Tang said they weren’t really expecting to win the division because the draw was extraordinarily tough to begin with.

“Hye Jin and Serin gave us a lot of trouble. They were extremely consistent and were smart with the plays,” said the 14-year-old ninth grader at Saipan Southern High School.

The 15-year-old Shimizu, a sophomore at Marianas High School, said the boys 16-and-under doubles was very competitive.

“It was a tough tournament. I’m glad me and Simon won. Definitely not an easy draw [and] me and Simon had the most trouble against the girls, Serin and Hye Jin, but luckily we pulled though,” he said.

Both Tang and Shimizu dedicated their victory to their loved ones.

“I would like to thank my family for supporting me through everything,” said Tang.

“I want to thank my family,” said Shimizu.

In the boys 14-and-under doubles, Henry Choi and Nason Wessel took the plum after defeating Yutaka Kadokura and Si Woo Lee in the finals, 6-0, 6-3.

Choi and Wessel advanced to the finals after shutting out Taher Shakir and Stephen Yeom, 6-0, 6-0, in the semis following a bye in the first round. Kadokura and Lee had a tougher road to the championship round as they barely beat Ki Won Lee and Henry Yeon in the semis, 7-6 (3), 6-1. They also got a bye in the opening round.

In the girls 14-and-under doubles, Hannah Chae and Isa Nishitani reigned supreme after topping a three-team field. They won against Irin Chung and Savita Sikkel in their first game then disposed of Anne Lee and Lina Tsukagoshi in their last, 6-4, 6-2.

The 2021 TanHoldings Tennis Classic continues this weekend with the 18-and-over players finally seeing action at the AMP tennis courts.