When Charlie Adams of Blake steps on the court in Class 1A, he's in a league of his own.
That sentiment rang true throughout this week's Class 1A state tournament at the Reed-Sweatt Family Tennis Center in south Minneapolis, where Adams lost just two games in four matches en route to his second consecutive singles title.
The junior defeated East Grand Forks senior Ty Misialek 6-1, 6-0 in Friday's final, making the biggest match of the season look like a formality. Adams dominated in every aspect of the game, committing few errors while asserting himself with big ground strokes, carefully constructed points and a deft touch at net.
"I felt like I hit some really good shots and he'd hit winners off of it," Misialek said. "He's just a different level."
Adams didn't lose a match in 2014, and he defeated four top players in Class 2A earlier this season, including eventual champion Nick Beaty of Wayzata.
By comparison, the Class 1A field stood no chance. Adams never lost his focus during the tournament, playing with controlled aggression.
Last year's state tournament followed a similar script. Adams lost only four games in his first three matches before defeating teammate Kavir Kumar 6-0, 4-6, 7-5 in the final.
"Last year's competition was a little bit harder," Adams said. "I've improved a lot as a player, though, and I think that really helped."
