Collin Altamirano became the first unseeded player in the 71-year-history of the Nationals in Kalamazoo to win a singles title when he defeated No. 14 Jared Donaldson, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4, in the best of five boys 18s championship match Sunday. With the win, Altamirano, Yuba City, Calif., also earns a wild card into the main draw of the U.S. Open. Donaldson, Cumberland, R.I., struggled with his serve, holding just four times in the match. He gave up tennis during the winter and said if someone had asked him in February if he would be happy with a second-place finish in Kalamazoo, he would have said yes. “Now that you’re here, you always want more,” he said. “It’s a good tournament, I had some good wins but it’s kinda like second place is bittersweet. You have good wins, but you’re basically the first loser. That’s kinda how I think I’ll look back on it.” Altamirano said he doesn’t care who he plays in his first round at the U.S. Open, “I’m just happy to be there,” he said. “I’m happy, I’m happy. I accomplished a goal, so it’s good. I did what coach told me to do, and I executed beautifully.”

Source: USTA Nationals Staff