Alexander and William, just before the start of their boys under 18 finals
Coquitlam Junior Spring Challenger | For the second time this season, William Baumann, 16 and his younger brother Alexander, 14 met in a tennis tournament final. The last time they met each other across the net was at the Junior Spring Break tournament in Victoria in March. That match was the under 18 doubles final. Alex won that first encounter between the brothers.
This time it was the singles final of the boys under 18. Willie was the number 1 seeded player in the draw and Alex was seeded number 4. Both siblings were drawn on the opposite sides of the draw, making a clash in the final a dream for both brothers. Alex has come close in beating his older brother in practice matches, and this opportunity for both is the official bragging rights in the family.
Willie had his toughest match in the quarter-finals against Scott Bocking from Chemainus, Vancouver Island. After losing the first set 6-1, he settled down and worked his way back in the next two sets, winning 6-3, 6-3. In the semi-finals, he faced fellow club-mate Rui Wang across the net. Wang had already made an impression by winning his previous three matches, including defeating the number 3 seed, Matija Ivaz in the second round in three sets including a 6-0 third set. Based on previous practice matches, this semi-final match outcome would be very close for both of them. Unfortunately, a little apprehension on Wang's mental game gave away the semi-final encounter too easily. Willie won decisively in a 6-0, 6-2 scoreline.
On the bottom half of the draw, the younger Baumann quietly made his way through the early rounds. In his semi-finals match, the only player to stand in his way of meeting his older brother in the final was the number two seeded player from Richmond. Willie, who had earlier reached the final, was eagerly waiting for Alex to come through his match. Alex had no trouble in disposing of Saud Romus Izquierdo. Playing a cleverly strategized match, Alex earned his place in the final with a 6-3, 6-3 score.
Prior to the start of the final match, both brothers looked relax. However, one can sense the competitiveness in the tension bubbling underneath the surface. As the match got underway in the first set, the momentum swung in favour of the older sibling. Alex was making far too many unforced errors as he tried to take control of that set. He quickly found himself down 4-1 against his brother's strong tactical game. The first set ended at 6-2 for Willie. Alex settled down in the second set and brought his unforced errors down to a minimum. Still in command of the match, Willie needed just a service break in the second to end his younger brother hope of beating him, at least for the moment. There was no three setter as one might hope for. At the end, with a score of 6-2, 6-4, emotions were visible but brotherly love is not lost.
Alex was visibly upset at the end of the match.
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