Saturday’s second semifinal in boys 16s is set, with second seed Mitchell Krueger, Aledo, Texas, taking on fourth seed Michael Redlicki, Hawthorn Woods, Ill., at 11 a.m. Krueger defeated M. Mackenzie McDonald (7), Piedmont, Calif., 6-3, 6-3, today, and Redlicki beat Gordon Watson (5), Naples, Fla., 6-4, 6-3. “I was hitting pretty clean the whole time,” Krueger said. “I felt this was my best match so far this tournament. He hit really well, too. There were some pretty solid rallies back and forth. It was a pretty aggressive match." “Whoever could stay longer in the rally and finish a little better ... It could have been a lot tougher than the score looks.” Redlicki said he knew Watson would be tough. “I knew we were gonna have a big fight,” Redlicki said. “We both had to prepare as best as we can to go really long, really intense, for as long as this match would take, because last time we showed each other we’re made of steel and that we don’t give up. We fight to the last point.” The “last time” was at Clay Courts last month when he defeated Watson 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. The other 16s semifinal — top seed Shane Vinsant, Keller, Texas, vs. Nolan Paige (3), Fairfield, Conn. — was decided on Thursday.

Source: USTA Nationals Staff