Brian Baker (1) looked to be coasting into the semifinals when he won the first seven games of his match with James Pade (6). But the Californian turned things around with a break of serve in the fifth game of the second set which held up for the 6-4 score. Between the second and third sets, Baker requested a trainer and Pade?s momentum was slowed when Baker received treatment, which included a wrapping of his left foot. The number one seed then immediately seized control of the match by holding, breaking and holding for a three love lead, and a repeat of the first set seemed likely. Baker was unable to close out the match when serving for it at 5-1, however, and things got interesting when Baker again served for the match at 5-3, but went down two break points, 15-40. The top seed composed himself and ended a long rally with a forehand winner to save one break point and then forced Pade into a forehand error to get to deuce. A controversial back line call in his favor gave Baker match point and he moved into the semifinals when Pade hit a backhand wide.

In the other 18s singles quarterfinal match played Thursday, Douglas Stewart (8) of Malibu CA, used his heavy topspin ground strokes to end the run of last year?s 16s Doubles Champion Brett Joelson of Beaverton OR, seeded 23rd.

In 16s singles, Philip Kao of Cupertino CA (25) faced his first seed in his quarterfinal match, as he was in the section that lost both the number one and number eight seeds. He made the most of his favorable draw by dominating Todd Paul of Stamford CT (21), 6-3, 6-2. In the other quarterfinal played on Thursday, Travis Helgeson (18) of Overland Park KS, proved his victory over third seed Robert Cameron on Tuesday was no fluke, as he easily dispatched Mykyta Kryvonos (16) of Flushing NY also by a 6-3, 6-2 score.

The quarterfinal matches in the bottom half of both singles draws take place Friday. Doubles semifinal matches will follow Friday afternoon.

Source: Colette Lewis (Tournament Office)