Palisadians T.J. Pura and Robbie Bellamy competed at the 12th Annual Audi Napa Valley Classic last weekend and returning with three singles wins over college-level players. Pura, 17, defeated Eric Diaz of Georgia, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 and Stanford’s Roberti Stineman, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4. Bellamy, also 17, was valiant as well, winning the first of his three matches by ousting Harvard’s Shaun Chaudhuri, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4. ‘This is definitely a unique experience, but I like it,’ said Pura, a senior at Brentwood School who will attend Duke University next fall. ‘They serve harder here. It’s kind of the style I’ll be facing in college, so it’s interesting to see how I’ll measure up.’ The event format features USTA juniors against NCAA players, with the USTA players having been selected by national rankings and results. Bellamy, a homeschooler who recently committed to play at USC, said the key for him was taking the same approach as always. ‘Everyone’s good here, but I don’t think of think of this event as being anything different, so I’m treating it the same,’ Bellamy said. ‘But still, the players here are pretty tough.’ Pura lost a tough match to Cal’s Mads Engsted, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, on day one, and on day two, Bellamy fell to Georgia’s Ben Wagland, 6-2, 6-4. The final day saw Pura beat Stineman while Bellamy lost to Illinois’ Stephen Hoh, 6-4, 6-1. Pura said that in addition to the enjoyment of playing such stiff competition, playing on behalf of his hometown with his friend Bellamy was a rewarding experience. ‘We had a great time together here,’ Pura said. ‘It’s definitely cool to be representing Pacific Palisades.’
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