Oscar Podlewski and Ilija Vucic, doubles partners and MCTA team mates were drawn against each other in the third round of the Jerry Simmons Evert American Junior ITF tournament.  Good friends off the court both had to forget pleasantries as they came face to face on opposite sides of the net for the first of what is likely to be many occasions to come.

A lazy start from Ilija didn’t prevent him from making the most of his opportunities.  Breaking Oscar twice in the first set it was the younger player who took the opening set 6-3.

The second set was a different story and a closely contested fight to the end.  Both players held their serves until 5-5 when Ilija managed to break Oscar’s serve.  Returning exceptionally well Oscar broke straight back forcing the set to a tiebreak.  However, it was Ilija who managed to raise the tempo when needed and at 4-4 two exceptionally good points by the Serbian and a slightly loose volley by Oscar secured the sixteen years old the second set and the match.