Canyon’s Denis Nguyen and Dana Hills’ Warren Hardie started strong in their semifinal matches Saturday at Thacher School in Ojai.

Hardie took a 4-1 first-set lead and Nguyen took the first set against the top seed.

It was looking as if the pair would play for the 109th The Ojai CIF singles championship. However, momentum swung in each match, and neither wound up advancing. Combined with Corona del Mar’s and University’s losses in the doubles semifinals, it left no county players in either final.

It marks the second consecutive year no county singles player reached the title match. Orange’s Steve Johnson was the last to play for the singles crown in 2007. Nonetheless, it was a good showing for county reps.

“Orange County did a great job up here,” University coach John Kessler said.

The biggest impression was made by Canyon sophomore Denis Nguyen. He pushed Clay Thompson (Crossroads) to three sets before falling, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2, in one semifinal. Nguyen lost in the first round as a freshman last season.

“He is one of the young hot Orange County kids,” Kessler said. “His court demeanor is unbelievable. His maturity when it comes to seeing the court at his age is just crazy. I’m very proud of Denis. He had a great tournament.”

The Trojans John Huang and Michael Tang also suffered a three-set defeat. The pair lost to Santa Barbara’s Billy Grokenberger and Chase Melton 6-3, 6-7, 6-3. University defeated Santa Barbara in the CIF team final last season, so it was a bit of revenge for the Dons.

“It was a tight first set,” Kessler said. “We had our opportunities. They outplayed us. There is nothing to be upset about. That was a great team. I proud of the way we battled back.”

Hardie closes his Ojai high school career making the farthest he had. He dropped out in the quarterfinals last year. He lost to Thousand Oaks’ Marcos Giron 7-5, 6-1 on Saturday.

Rhodes and Korber had the underdog run of the tournament. The Sea Kings duo saved a match point during its quarterfinal match Friday. However, they ran into top-seeded Walker Kehrer and Daniel McCall of Brentwood in the semifinals and were beat 6-3, 6-2.

“That was our goal,” said Korber of making the semis. “We had a great run.”

…. Thousand Oaks’ Marcos Giron defeated Crossroads Clay Thompson 6-3, 6-3 in the singles final. Santa Barbara’s Chase Melton and Billy Grokenberger beat Burbank’s Walter Kehrer and Daniel McCall in the doubles final.

More from the boys tennis blog:

• The Ojai: Orange County players finished
• The Ojai: Nguyen falls in three; University doubles to third set
• The Ojai: Hardie out; Canyon’s Nguyen in third set
• The Ojai: Canyon’s Nguyen takes first set over top seed
• The Ojai: The sun is shining
• The Ojai: Day Two breakdown
• The Ojai: Saturday’s matches and schedule

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