Meeting their match

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Frances Tiafoe, 17, needed a partner to warm up with before the start of his round of 16 match during the Sarasota Open April 16. Only a girl wasn’t exactly whom he had in mind. 

But this wasn’t just any girl. It was Lakewood Ranch High senior Ashley Bongart, who was preparing to compete in her second-consecutive Sarasota Open after winning the No. 1 singles and overall singles titles in the Class 3A state championship earlier in the week and leading Lakewood Ranch to its first state champ title. 

With each practice swing, Tiafoe’s skepticism began to fade. 

“She’s a good player, and the best of luck to her,” Tiafoe says. 

Tiafoe went on to win the match 6-3, 6-4 and advance to the quarterfinals. Following the match, Tiafoe found Bongart and her coach Chris Marquez in the stands and informed them that he wanted to warm up with her again the following day. 

“It worked for him, whatever we did,” Bongart says. “It’s incredible because he’s an up-and-coming star. If he does end up making it big, I can say that I hit with him, and that’s something I can hold onto.” 

Bongart and Tiafoe returned to the court April 17 and spent roughly 30 minutes warming up together. Bongart went on to win her opening match in the women’s draw and advance to the semifinals. Bongart was unable to play in the semifinal match versus the Out-of-Door Academy’s M’Balia Bangoura due to a foot injury she suffered in her opening match. 

However, the experience of being out on her home court with some of the top players in the world and forming an unexpected friendship with Tiafoe made the experience worthwhile. 

“I have a lot of support behind me, and I’m thankful for that,” Bongart says. 

Tiafoe, who turned professional and signed with RocNation the week before the Sarasota Open, fell to fellow American Chase Buchanan 6-0, 6-3 in his quarterfinal match. This was Tiafoe’s first time competing in the Sarasota Open. 

“It’s been a great experience this week,” Tiafoe says. “The tournament has been great, and I would love to come back next year. I’ve been playing really well and having a great year.” 

“It’s incredible because he (Frances Tiafoe) is an up-and-coming star. If he does end up making it big, I can say that I hit with him, and that’s something I can hold onto.”

– Ashley Bongart, Lakewood Ranch High senior