Corona del Mar unleashes dynamic doubles duo

After Fabian Matthews and Dustin Hladek competed separately in the Ojai Tournament in April, Corona del Mar High boys’ tennis Coach Tim Mang had an epiphany of sorts.

Matthews, a sophomore, had reached the round of 16 in singles. Hladek, a junior, had reached the round of 32 in doubles with partner Jonathan Kroopf.

Looking ahead to the CIF Southern Section Individual Tournament, Mang felt their styles would mesh well in doubles competition. And since Matthews could still get an opportunity to swing for CIF singles titles his junior and senior years, Mang pulled the trigger on the move.

“After the Ojai Tournament was over, I thought about it,” Mang said. “Fabian is an excellent singles player and Dustin is an excellent doubles player. Fabian is just a natural talent. He puts balls away. Dustin is great at volleying and returning serves ? I like that combination. I mentioned it to them and they were excited.”

The pair was able to get just a couple of weeks of practice together before the individual tournament began.

“It was pretty cool. It was a surprise for a while. Coach didn’t tell us until a week or two before CIF Individuals,” Hladek said. “When I heard, I kind of knew we could take it.”

A smile came over Matthews’ face as he considered the possibilities.

“He’s got a great volley and I have great ground strokes and serve,” Matthews said. “It’s a perfect combination for a doubles team.”

The Sea Kings duo swung their way to the semifinals at the Seal Beach Tennis Center, where they defeated Troy’s Jeffrey Kamei and Brian Fang, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4. Matthews and Hladek pulled together for a huge third-set win.

In the afternoon, the Corona del Mar duo defeated Chris Ho and Billy Grokenberger of Santa Barbara, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, in the championship match to capture the CIF Southern Section boys’ tennis doubles title. Matthews and Hladek had to come from behind to take the title. The tandem dropped the first set and trailed, 3-2, in the second set, before turning the match around. Matthews held serve, then Hladek smashed a backhand winner to break Santa Barbara’s serve and the Sea Kings were off and running toward a CIF title.

Hladek was humbled by the accomplishment.

“It was amazing. You look at all the people who have won before, it’s a great list of names,” Hladek said. “It’s a great honor to be among them.”

Not only did their styles mesh on the court, their personalities did, too.

“They really enjoyed playing together,” Mang said. “Fabian does a lot of coaching on the court. They talk a lot. They socialize after points. Maybe I shouldn’t let them do that, but they listen to each other well.”

“It was a lot of fun being able to talk to Dustin between and during points,” said Matthews, who added that he hadn’t played doubles consistently since he was younger.

Matthews’ exposure to doubles might help him improve in singles, according to Mang.

“Fabian improved on closing off the net. Sometimes he’s so secure on the baseline, he doesn’t come to the net like he should,” Mang said. “In the quarterfinals, he started going to the net and closing off really well. Hopefully, this will help his singles game. He can use that to his advantage every now and again.”

The Fabian Matthews File

Hometown: Newport Beach

Height: 6-foot

Weight: 135

Sport: Tennis

Position: No. 1 singles

Coach: Tim Mang

Favorite food: Filet mignon

Favorite movie: “Wedding Crashers”

Favorite athletic moment: “Winning CIF doubles with Dustin.”

The Dustin Hladek File

Hometown: Newport Beach

Height: 5-foot-11

Weight: 138

Sport: Tennis

Position: No. 1 doubles

Coach: Tim Mang

Favorite food: Dad’s hamburgers

Favorite movie: “Garden State”

Favorite athletic moment: “Winning CIF doubles with Fabian.”

Week in review: The two teamed up to defeat the doubles duo of Chris Ho and Billy Grokenberger of Santa Barbara, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, to capture the CIF Southern Section boys’ tennis doubles championship at the Seal Beach Tennis Center May 27.dpt-athlete02.IMGGraphicInfoTS1RIRT320060602TS1RIRT3No Captiondpt.02-aow-tennis-BPhotoInfoH11RIRIL20060602j07cdhncKENT TREPTOW / DAILY PILOT(LA)