No. 2 Seed Nagappala Battles to Boys' 18 & Under Title at SEMTA Muthig Local District Championships

Neel Nagappala captured the Boys' 18 & Under singles title at the Level 5 Closed SEMTA Muthig Local District Championships, held March 13-15, 2026 at Deer Lake Athletic Club, CLARKSTON, MI. Neel Nagappala had to dig deep in a three-set final, defeating Carter Griffith 7-5, 5-7, 1-0(11) to earn the title.

The Final

The final brought together No. 2 seed Neel Nagappala and No. 3 seed Carter Griffith. Nagappala took the first set, but Griffith battled back to force a decider. Nagappala held firm in the third, closing it out 7-5, 5-7, 1-0(11).

Semifinals

Nagappala (No. 2 seed) defeated Buzdugan (No. 4 seed) 6-2, 6-1.

Quarterfinals

Crosby (No. 1 seed) defeated Zhang (No. 6 seed) 6-4, 6-1.

Buzdugan (No. 4 seed) defeated Johnston (No. 7 seed) 6-1, 6-0.

Nagappala (No. 2 seed) defeated Jones (No. 5 seed) 7-5, 6-0.

Detailed Results

Final

Neel Nagappala [2] d. Carter Griffith [3], 7-5, 5-7, 1-0(11)

Semifinals

Neel Nagappala [2] d. Daniel Buzdugan [4], 6-2, 6-1

Quarterfinals

Mason Crosby [1] d. Luke Zhang [6], 6-4, 6-1

Daniel Buzdugan [4] d. Zach Johnston [7], 6-1, 6-0

Neel Nagappala [2] d. David Jones [5], 7-5, 6-0