Michael Krueger, the top seed in boys 18s, was tested in the second set, but advanced to Wednesday’s Round of 16 with a 6-0, 7-5 win over unseeded Brett Clark, Naples, Fla., in the fourth round of the USTA Boys 18 & 16 National Championships on Tuesday. Krueger, from Aledo, Texas, escaped an upset bid in the third round on Monday, pulling out a 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-4 win over unseeded Richard Del Nunzio, Forest Hills, N.Y. “He definitely played one of the better matches I’ve ever seen h im play,” Krueger said of Del Nunzio. “I had a lot of chances in the first (set). I didn’t get one break point and I had at least 23, but that happens. I was able to stick in there.” New this year is a rule for a mandatory 10-minute break if an 18s match goes to a third set. That was news to Krueger, who has not been playing USTA junior tournaments this year. “I actually didn’t want it,” he said. “I haven’t had a 10-minute break between sets for years now. “But a win is a win. I’ll take a win no matter what. I think it’s good to be challenged early. It gets me into the tournament pretty well.” After making it to the semifinals of the Junior French Open and Junior Wimbledon, Krueger turned pro three weeks ago. “Everyone has their time to go and I felt like I was ready to go,” he said.

Source: USTA Nationals Staff