Mmoh Enjoys Breakthrough Week In Tiburon

After being hampered by an elbow injury for several months, American teenager Michael Mmoh is finally healthy and producing the high quality tennis he’s capable of.

Competing at this week’s $100,000 ATP Challenger Tour event in Tiburon, California, the 18 year old is into his first Challenger quarter-final of 2016. Mmoh ousted sixth seed and fellow American Stefan Kozlov in a second-round clash on Wednesday.

The match was mentally difficult for both because they’re close friends off the court, with Kozlov even recently beating Mmoh in a game of fantasy football. Kozlov said they had to “put the friendship aside and do their best” before walking on court, but Mmoh said playing a familiar face can sometimes provide an extra edge.

“It’s always tough because we’re such good friends off the court,” said Mmoh. “But sometimes I have even more motivation to win when I’m playing a friend.”

Mmoh started his year off strongly by qualifying for his first ATP World Tour main draw at the Memphis Open in February. But just as he was beginning to reach a new level, his elbow injury forced him to sit out for more than two months beginning in April. Although it took time to get his top form back, he’s now “feeling really good about my game [and] it’s showing this week.”

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The American has long been heralded as one of the world’s top junior players, peaking last year at No. 2 in the ITF Junior Rankings, but has been focusing almost exclusively on pro events this year. Mmoh closed out his junior career last month by winning the Boys’ 18s National Championships in Kalamazoo, which gave him a wild card into the main draw of the US Open.

“All the players are good in the pros, so you don’t get many easy rounds,” said Mmoh. “But in the juniors, you should get a win pretty easily if you play up to your standard. The junior events don’t take as much of a toll on the mental side.”

Mmoh plays second seed and fellow American Bjorn Fratangelo in a quarter-final match on Friday. With so many young American players climbing up the Emirates ATP Rankings, Mmoh is eager to follow in their footsteps and join them on the world’s biggest stages.

“It’s been extremely important to see that,” said Mmoh. “I look at the way Tiafoe goes deep in these tournaments and it’s motivating. You want to do better than your peers every day. It’s just great motivation for all of us.”