The 19-year-old Gallin, who expects to again play first singles at…
Jamaica’s Jerry Neptune fell in the final of the seventh annual Greater Urban Pro Tennis Classic, to Long Island’s Zachary Gallin, 6-3, 6-0 at Cunningham Park in Fresh Meadows Sunday.
The 19-year-old Gallin, who expects to again play first singles at Cornell University this fall, won the men’s singles championship in just 45 minutes.
Neptune jumped ahead 3-1 but the second-seeded Gallin tied the first set at 3 and won the remaining nine games in quick fashion. Gallin, who played a very strong serve and volley game primarily from the back court position, was too much for Neptune especially in the second set when sixth-seeded Neptune committed numerous errors.
“After I was up a break I began to slip,” said 22-year-old Neptune.
Neptune, a product of the Youth and Tennis organization, drew a first round bye and then defeated Todd Lacher from Long Island, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4, top-seeded Sedik Sendich of Staten Island, 6-0, 6-4 and Forest Hills resident Paul Wawrsyniak, 6-2, 1-6, 6-2.
Gallin also had a bye in the first round and then beat Matt Trumino of Manhattan, 6-3, 6-3, Long Islander Ian Bliss, 1-6, 6-1, 6-0 and Dan Bermeo of Manhattan, 6-0, 6-1 to reach the finals.
“I woke up a bit…and came on strong,” said Gallin, a former Suffolk County high school champion who played two years at first singles at Cornell. “I enjoyed playing in this tournament.”
Youth and Tennis, Inc. is a junior program, headquartered at the Roy Wilkins Recreation Center in Jamaica. Proceeds of the classic go to the kids of the program.
