Winning the one that counts

All the long rallies took a toll on both players.

Denis Bogatov had to work overtime to claim an IHSA state singles title. The Warren High School junior battled for 2 1/2 hours before finally outlasting Glenbrook North senior Eric Spector 7-6 (7-5), 7-5 Saturday in Arlington Heights.

Spector's wounds were obvious, as he battled a back injury in the final 4 games. But Bogatov revealed the match also was tough on his body.

"I was feeling tired after the third game (of first set)," Bogatov said. "I think the adrenaline kept me going. I stayed mentally tough the whole match."

He proved it during the tiebreaker.

"I was up 5-0 and he came back to make it 5-5," Bogatov said. "I told myself, 'I'm not going to lose this set.'"

Bogatov took the next 2 points to win the tiebreaker 7-5. But the championship was far from over.

"I was never comfortable against Eric Spector," said Warren coach Greg Cohen. "He's a great player and a great kid."

Frankly, history was not on Bogatov's side.

"For the last 10 years, I've taken him (Spector) twice and he's beaten me 10 times," Bogatov said.

The Warren coaching staff devised a plan for meeting No. 13.

"If you move the guy and move the guy, you might lose one point but win three because of it," Cohen said.

The second set was a battle of attrition, as evidenced by 6 consecutive service breaks. Even though Spector was hampered by the back problem, Bogatov wasn't taking anything for granted.

"I did not want a third set," Bogatov said. "He's a tough kid and he always plays hard."

In a strange twist, Bogatov was not hounded by back problems after incurring a back injury during the winter while playing USTA tournaments.

"In the first 3-4 matches (at state), my back was sore," Bogatov related. "Today, it was 100 percent."

Bogatov finally took control by breaking Spector in the 11th game. He then used a solid service game to complete the victory.

"It (state title) is like a dream come true," said Bogatov, third in state last spring. "I'm extremely happy."

The Blue Devils have crowned state champions in 2 of the last 3 years, as Dennis Nevolo ruled Illinois in 2006.

Cohen delivered a thank you to club coach Mark Bey.

"When we first thought Denis could win a state title was when he started to train with Mark Bey," said Cohen, referring to the top instructor of the Care Academy in Libertyville.

SEMI TOUGH: Bogatov, who finished 34-2, reached the final by winning 6 straight matches. In the semifinals, he edged Chicago Latin senior Mac McAnulty 6-4, 7-5.

"My groundstrokes were kind of questionable (vs. McAnulty)," Bogatov said. "In the final, my groundstrokes were on. They had to be for me to win that match (against Spector)."

GOOD EFFORT: Warren tied Latin for sixth in the team standings with 24 points. The Blue Devils received solid performances from Igor Federov/Konrad Siczek (4-2 record in doubles) and Jon Donnowitz (2-2 mark in singles).

During the state finals, Federov was chosen the Pitchford Award winner (sportsmanship).

"We always say it's the most important award in the state," Cohen said. "You have to be a good tennis player and you have to be a great sport. You have to have the whole package."