Cecil Mamiit wants to send a message to all his tennis friends and family in Southern California and throughout the world: He’s alive and well and playing some of the best tennis of his career.
That’s right, the 33-year Mamiit — who’s been grinding it out on the tour for 14-plus years — has played his way into the semifinals at the USTA Men’s Pro Tennis Championship of Calabasas.
The qualifier Mamiit, who lives in Los Angeles but plays nationally for the Philippines, beat Go Sodea of Japan 6-2, 6-4 on Friday in the quarterfinals and will face American Michael Russell in Saturday’s first semifinal beginning at noon. Two Americans square off in the other semifinal to follow as Michael Yani takes on fellow unseeded player Donald Young.
"I’m glad I have a lot of friends and family out here that I’ve lost touch with know I’m out here and still playing good tennis," said Mamiit, who had knee surgery two years ago. "A lot of them have been worried about me."
Mamiit obviously enjoys playing in Southern California and recalled losing to Michael Chang in the final at Calabasas way back in 2002.
"I’ve had a lot of success here," the former NCAA champion from USC said. "It’s been awhile since my last title (New Orleans in 2006). I’m just glad I’m still out here and playing good."
Mamiit said there is still a lot of work to be done.
"There is no excitement yet. In reality, I’m still 580 in the world," Mamiit said. "The excitement is that I’m still playing and I feel great. I feel better than I did when I was in the final here, but there is still a long ways to go. It’s just that reality starts to settle in if you get too excited and you can get complacent. I’ve just very fortunate to still be out here."
Mamiit has won seven Challenger-level tournaments during his career. He’s hoping he’s got another left him come Sunday.
RESULTS — OCTOBER 23
Friday’s Quartefinal Singles Scores
wc: wild card; q: qualifier
Michael Russell (2), United States, def. Grega Zemlja (7), Slovenia, 6-2, 6-4
Donald Young, United States, def. Luka Gregorc (q), Slovenia, 6-3, 6-1
Cecil Mamiit (q), Philippines, def. Go Soeda, Japan, 6-4, 6-2
Michael Yani, United States, def. Prakash Amritraj (wc), 6-2, 6-2
Men's Doubles Semifinals
Treat Conrad Huey, Philippines-Harsh Mankad, India (3), def. Gustavo Sanchez, Venezuela-Craig Schwartz, 6-4, 6-0
Santiago Gonzalez, Mexico-Simon Stadler, Germany, vs. Raven Klaasen, South Africa-Izak Van Der Merwe, South Africa, 4-6, 6-4, 10-5
Saturday’s Semifinal Schedule
CENTER start 12:00 noon
[Q] C Mamiit (PHI) vs [2] M Russell (USA)
D Young (USA) vs M Yani (USA)
