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Add a second consecutive Ojai title to Newport Harbor freshman Geoff Abrams' growing list of accomplishments. Abrams simply overpowered a determined, but outclassed Sunny Hills High freshman Joseph Gilbert, 6-2, 6-3, in the boys' 16 singles finals Saturday at Libby Park.
But after winning three national junior tournaments in 1992 and being named to the USTA junior national team in January, Abrams figured to win Ojai against a player who hasn't beaten him in two attempts.
And along with the great expectations, comes higher standards, more pressure and sometimes, an anti-Abrams crowd.
"I could definitely tell they were cheering for my opponent," said Abrams, who stands 6 feet 5 but doesn't turn 15 until May 10. "It doesn't bother me though. I expect it."
But Abrams doesn't expect to double-fault twice in a serve game and make unforced errors at the net like he did in the second set. After taking a 6-2, 3-0 lead, Abrams actually began to look human.
He lost three consecutive games, two on his serve and was down a game point in the seventh game, before rallying to win the last three games of...