Elliott Sprecher of Cadott, Wis., will not be an unknown anymore in the tennis world after defeating the #1 seed and advancing to the quarterfinals of the Boys 14s at the Nike International Masters series in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
Sprecher, who is ranked #1 in Boys 14s in USTA Northern, became the first person in USTA Northern history to win the Nike National Masters tournament when he shocked the American tennis world with his win in Stanford, Calif., last month. While at Stanford, he defeated Joseph DiGuilio, the former #1 ranked player in the country for Boys 14s, among others, on his way to the championship.
"Surprised to be here (in Punta Cana)? Very much so. I can honestly say I did not expect to win in California," Sprecher said. "My philosophy for the week is to try as hard as I can. Not too many people know who I am, so I really don’t have that much to lose."
That is what Sprecher thought anyway. It took only one match or 55 minutes and Sprecher was expsoed after opening the International tournament with a 6-0, 6-0 win over Kyle Fellows of Great Britain.
"It was a good match to get started," Sprecher said. "I got used to the conditions and it was a good way to work my way into the tournament."
He then faced the biggest test yet of his young tennis career when he played Hyeon Chung of South Korea - the #1 seed in the tournament. Chung won last year's Eddie Herr and Orange Bowl under-12 tournaments, but has struggled some since moving up to 14s this year. Sprecher used tremendous pace and took advantage of his height difference in pushing Chung back and keeping him at the baseline, winning 6-3, 6-2.
It was on to the quarterfinals for Sprecher, where he finally lost to unseeded O Ram Harel of Israel 6-2, 6-3. Ram Harel advanced to the finals of the tournament and will face Carlos Benito of Spain in the finals.
"He (Harel) was one of the best players I have ever played against in my whole life," Sprecher said. "I just didn't have an answer to his consistent and full game."
Although his tournament is over, Sprecher plans on taking advantage of the resort for a few more days before heading back to Wisconsin on Tuesday. The itinerary included a sail boarding trip, a sailing trip on a professionally-run yacht and an Outrigger adventure.
"I've had the experience of a lifetime here," Sprecher said. "Everything was so great, food included. I am really happy that I had the opportunity to play here and am satisfied with how I did."