Older Divisions Begin Play Monday Highlighted By Rematch Of Boys’ 16s Final

A first-round rematch between last year’s Boys’ 16s singles finalists highlights a full day of play as all eight divisions are in action at the 56^th Annual FILA Easter Bowl on Monday at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

In last year’s 16s final, Oklahoma State-bound Ian Bracks from Tulsa, Okla., took out Braeden Gelletich from Goshen, N.Y., 7-6 (4), 6-4, for the coveted USTA National Gold ball.

Facing Gelletich on Day 1 of the Boys’ 18s could be viewed as an unfortunate draw for the unseeded Bracks going against the No. 1 seed, but Bracks said Sunday it doesn’t really matter who he opens up with.

“It was such a cool experience last year playing in the final,” said Bracks, a 17-year-old high school senior who trains at the Tucker Tennis Academy.

Bracks holds a 4-0 career head-to-head against Gelletich also winning at past Clay Court and Indoor Nationals and the USTA Spring Team Championships.

“It’s always a close match when we play and it’s just a few points here or there that decides it,” Bracks said. “It’s pretty exciting. It will be a good match.”

Bracks is playing doubles with Nicholas Patrick from Coal Valley, Ill., and is hoping to leave the Coachella Valley with a national ball in both singles and doubles, just like he did at the FILA Easter Bowl in 2021 when he got a bronze in singles and a silver in doubles in the 14s.

Defending 18s singles champion Cassius Chinlund opens up play against Kaiaitz Mendibe at Palm Desert Tennis Club on Monday. William Manning from Raleigh, N.C., is the No. 2 seed in the 18s.

In the Girls’ 18s, Capucine Jauffret from Wilmington, Del., is No. 1 and Addison Lanton from Chicago is No. 2.

Keep up with all the FILA Easter Bowl on the  daily Live Stream, and check out the tournament on Facebook (www.facebook.com/EasterBowl) and X (@easterbowl) and Instagram (@easterbowltennis).