Fawcett Reaches Quarterfinals at Easter Boll

Fawcett Reaches Quarters at 2010 Easter Bowl

Tom Fawcett reached the quarterfinals of the Easter Bowl, the USTA National Spring Championships, held in Rancho Mirage, Cal. April 11-18. Fawcett was the 14th seed at the event.

Fawcett won his first two matches with ease, winning 6-1, 6-0 in the first round and 6-2, 6-0 in the second. In the round of 32 he was forced into a first set tie break by #17 Philip Antohi. Fawcett won the break 7-3 and took a close second set 6-4.

In the following round Fawcett captured his biggest upset of the tournament dropping #7 seed Toshiki Matsuya 6-3, 6-3 to reach the quarters. Matsuya is ranked 13th in the USTA National Rankings.

The quarterfinals Fawcett fell to #2 seed Noah Rubin 7-5, 6-2, before dropping a tight 7-5, 7-6(4) match to William Chiu in the consolation quarters. Rubin, of Rockville Center, New York, is ranked 4th in the Nation.

"Tom has been playing high level tennis the last six months; this was a great result in a National Championship. He is taking advantage of the development of his offensive skills," added HTA Director Ernie Katko. "He has been working very hard on moving forward in the court and finishing points either off the bounce or in the air. He always had an excellent court sense, now he has added more offense and more physical conditioning, the additions have paid off."

In the last four months Fawcett has won a Midwest Designated, Midwest Indoor Closed, and Midwest Winter Championships in addition to numerous semifinal appearances.

"Tom is having a great year and he is really growing into his game,” said HTA Owner Ken Herrmann. “Tom has become a major force on the national scene"

Fawcett is currently ranked 2nd in the USTA Midwest Section and 17th in the National Rankings.