Rombola Stays Alive In Tennis Championships

Berlin Number 1 singles player sophomore Dan Rombola has earned All-State honors with his win today in the singles quarterfinals of the CIAC Class M Boy's Tennis Tournament. Rombola won a hard-fought three-set match, 6-4, 0-6, 6-4 against a very tough German exchange student, the fifth seed, from Joel Barlow.

Rombola now faces the number one seed, Bradley Orban from Foran in the semifinals at 2 tomorrow, June 6, at Yale.

Orban won the Class M singles tournament last year and was a finalist in the 2011 CIAC State Open. As a semifinalist he is now eligible to play in the State Open.

"The way my coaches have been prepared me I was ready for this," Rombola said. "Obviously Coach Smith but I have two other coaches who have helped me. I'm a little surprised since I'm only a sophomore but I'm ready."

Dan started on Wednesday at the Yale University courts winning both his first round match against a senior from Wolcott 6-2, 6,1 and his second round match against another sophomore from Waterford 6-4, 6-1.

"When I'm at my best I'm locked in and 'in the zone'," Rombola said. "I can play any kind of game and I have great range when I'm playing well. I don't miss the shots I shouldn’t miss and make all the ones I should."

The third round of singles was scheduled for Saturday at Hamden H.S. and postponed to Sunday. In the third round Rombola had to face the fourth seed from Ledyard and he defeated him 6-3, 6-3.

As for his semifinal match against Orban, Rombola said he needs to play his best.

"I've seen him play a bunch of times," Rombola said of Orban. "He's number one in the state and number four in New England at the 16s age group. He's a great player and it's going to be a tough match. My strategy is to be as steady as I possibly can and take what he gives me. He wont give me much but I'll have to get in his head and really work hard."