Pan is off to state again

Grafton High School tennis sensation Michael Pan has qualified for the state tournament for the third straight season.

The junior advanced out of the Division 2 New Berlin West Sectional last week, and it took a third-set tiebreaker to do it.

Pan beat Tommy Heinrich of New Berlin Eisenhower, 6-4. 2-6, 10-2.

“The key to the tiebreaker was focusing on one point at a time. It was making sure not to lose, but don’t let him win it,” Pan said.

“It felt relieving making it to state and I feel a mix of confidence and nervousness.”

Pan first beat Miguel Rodriguez de la Rua of Martin Luther, 6-0, 6-0. Then he beat Nolan Johnson of Shorewood, 6-1, 6-2.

At state, Pan, 20-2, got a bye and on Friday, June 5, will face the winner of the match between Tegan Schott of Aquinas and Enrique Omella Valls of Shawano.

Pan said his goal this season was to advance to the state semifinal. He lost his first match at state as a freshman and won one match last season before being beaten.