Telepeer

University’s Rishvanth Krishna and Beckman doubles win Ojai tennis titles

April 27, 2025

Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now

OJAI — University tennis player Rishvanth Krishna earned the nickname “King Slayer” last season, in part, due to a near-upset at The Ojai tournament.

As a freshman, Krishna held match point against eventual champion and No. 1 seeded Niels Hoffmann of Corona del Mar before falling to the USC-bound senior in the Round of 16.

Krishna beat Hoffmann later in the campaign but he secured redemption at Ojai on Saturday.

At the 123rd edition of the tournament, Krishna completed a dramatic run of comebacks by defeating fellow sophomore and training partner Matteo Huarte of Mater Dei 6-4, 6-4 in the singles final at Libbey Park.

After securing the title on his fifth crack at match point, the mostly reserved Krishna briefly raised his hands as he became the fourth University player to claim the past five singles titles at the prestigious event.

“I only got to stay here like a day (last year),” Krishna said. “This year, I got the full Ojai experience so it’s nice. … I got it done.”

A few minutes after Krishna’s victory, Beckman’s Caden Lee and Edwin Yuan rallied to beat reigning CIF-SS champions Trevor Nguyen and David Tran of Marina 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) in the doubles final.

Beckman's Caden Lee and Edwin Yuan, left, defeated Marina's Trevor Nguyen and David Tran in the doubles final at the 123rd Ojai tennis tournament on Saturday, April 26, 2025. (Photo by Dan Albano, Orange County Register/SCNG) — Beckman’s Caden Lee and Edwin Yuan, left, defeated Marina’s Trevor Nguyen and David Tran in the doubles final at the 123rd Ojai tennis tournament on Saturday, April 26, 2025. (Photo by Dan Albano, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Orange County swept the singles and doubles titles at Ojai for the fourth consecutive tournament. University also earned its 10th team. The Trojans’ run to the Griggs trophy included iHyuk Im-Humam Alajeely falling to Nguyen and Tran in the semifinals.

“OC tennis gets better and better,” Beckman coach Nick Friendt said of the county’s strong showing.

The third-seeded Krishna displayed his well-rounded game against Huarte, one of the grandsons of former Mater Dei football player John Huarte, who won the Heisman Trophy at Notre Dame in 1964.

Krishna pounded forehand winners from the baseline but also used an array of approaches such as drop shots and volleys at the net.

He took a 3-2 lead in the second set by using consecutive drop shots for winners. He never trailed again in the set.

“I think that’s why I got the next two games, because of momentum,” Krishna said. “I would say I’m more of a counterpuncher but if I get a short ball or easy ball, I definitely try to hit it (for a winner) … and I like to throw in a slice and drop shot.”

In the semifinals, Krishna rallied from a three-game deficit in the first set to defeat top-seeded Lorenzo Brunkow of Palisades, 7-6 (4), 6-1.

In the Round of 16, Krishna was tied with Ryan Honary of Newport Harbor 7-7 in an eight-game pro set and trailed 15-40. He then unleashed five consecutive winners while on serve to seize control.

“King Slayers stay calm and collected and just take care of business on the court,” Krishna said. “You just have to believe it. It’s just inside me. I always know I have a chance against anybody.”

“He is really going to go places,” University assistant coach John Mano said of Krishna. “Colleges want him already.”

Sixth-seeded Huarte showed his own impressive forehand in pushing Krishna in several deuce points late in the second set.

“It was a good run,” said Huarte, who beat No. 2 seed Cayden Wang of Crean Lutheran 6-7 (5), 6-4, 10-8 in the quarterfinals.

“I’ve been training a while, working on the little things and I just tried to relax and have fun of there, and it helped me a lot in my play.”

In the doubles final, No. 2 seeded Lee and Yuan trailed 4-0 in the first set before becoming more competitive against the top seed.

Yuan, a freshman, said he and Lee adjusted their strategy.

“We tried to make more returns and mix up (our) lobs,” Yuan said. “I was nervous in the beginning (of the tournament) but I got used to it.”

Lee, a senior bound for Air Force, earned his second consecutive doubles title in Ojai. Last season, he won the championship with his brother Tyler, then a freshman.

“I adapted,” Lee said of winning with two different partners. “They both have their own strengths and weaknesses. It was really fun playing with the different styles. (Edwin) has very powerful ground strokes, crisp volleys, and a good serve.”

University’s Rishvanth Krishna and Beckman doubles win Ojai tennis titles Orange County Register

News Details

University’s Rishvanth Krishna and Beckman doubles win Ojai tennis titles

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

News

CONTACT INFO

QUICK LINKS

SERVICES

CURRENT NEWS