NEWPORT BEACH — Winning wasn't always so easy for Andrew Nguyen.
You wouldn't know it by the way he reeled off a 6-1, 6-2 victory in under 50 minutes Monday at the Balboa Bay Club Racquet Club.
"He used to lose focus quite easily and he also used to get a big lead and slowly lose momentum and lose the match," Nguyen's father, Luan, said. "Now we just try to work on winning two points at a time."
Nguyen was winning plenty on Monday. He squared off against Jon Alami in a Round 32 match in the boys' 12 singles division. Both 11-year-olds displayed respect in the 18th annual War by the Shore tournament.
The sixth-seeded Nguyen, of Newport Beach, battled efficiently under the watchful eye of his father, Luan.
Luan watched Alami closely as well.
In one game, Nguyen hit a ball in play that passed Alami. Alami called the ball in play, giving the game to Nguyen.
When the match ended, Luan kneeled to congratulate Alami for giving his all and displaying honesty.
"Had he called it in that would have gave him that game," Nguyen said. "Just one point in one game can make a swing on the momentum. Most kids, with anything near the line, they call out. In his case he didn't see it so he called in and that's why he has my respect."
Nguyen used a one-handed backhand often — a rarity for such a young player. He worked quickly, capturing the first set in about 20 minutes.
"My first serve was a little out of whack, but when I got it in it was great," Nguyen said. "The longer a match gets, the more tiring it gets, so when you're tired, you don't think as well."
Nguyen is blossoming under his father's careful eye. For the past six years, Nguyen trained to achieve the success he currently enjoys.
Luan Nguyen noticed a lot of similarities between Alami and his son.
"I can see [Alami] is thinking because you can see how he changes different things. He tries to slice the ball to under-spin it or try to get the ball high," Luan Nguyen said. "I like kids who think and try different things. Andrew had to go through all that to get to that level here."
Part of Andrew's training includes learning to stay focused. In the fifth game of the second set, Andrew was down 40-15, but propped himself back to win the game.
"At certain times when I see he's not paying attention … it's very critical," Luan Nguyen said. "So if he loses focus then he isn't doing what he's taught."
