Sundling kicks off year in impressive fashion; Taft's Tchan also fares well

Thousand Oaks resident JT Sundling, a USC signee, won the 18-under singles title Thursday at the USTA Winter National Championships in Phoenix, defeating Connor Smith of Tampa, Fla., 1-6, 6-0, 7-6 (0).

Sundling, who captured the 18-under summer sectional title in Fountain Valley in June, dropped only two sets -- the other in the first round -- en route to the championship.

Sundling, a former Winter National doubles champion, also reached the doubles final with partner Sekou Coker Bangoura of Bradenton, Fla., but lost 6-1, 4-6, 7-5 to Irvine's John Huang and Marc Powers of Stamford, Conn.

Taft of Woodland Hills senior Josh Tchan and partner Daniel Ho of Beverly Hills rebounded from a three-set semifinal setback to Bangoura and Sundling to defeat Garret Dunn and Andy Nguyen -- both from Arizona -- 6-4, 7-6 (3) in the 18-under division third-place match.

Tchan, headed to Harvard, was also given the Sportsmanship Award in the boys' 18-under division. He reached the round of 16 in singles, losing 6-3, 6-4 to Redlands' Joe Young.

Campbell Hall of North Hollywood's Sarah Lee and Sabrina Santamaria, who captured the Southern Section doubles title Dec. 5, lost 6-4, 7-5 in the quarterfinals to champions Kaitlyn Christian of Orange Lutheran and Whitney Kay of Alpharetta, Ga.

Santamaria lost to Christian in the round of 16 in singles. Lee lost in the round of 32. Christian then defeated Lee in the consolation quarterfinals en route to the consolation title.