Lodi High tennis standout Danny Miladinovich gave two-time defending singles champion Steve Oechel of Lincoln a tough match before losing 6-2, 6-4 in the semifinal round of the San Joaquin Athletic Association tournament on Thursday at the Marina Tennis Club in Stockton.

Miladinovich reached the semis by knocking off Anthony Nguyen of Stagg 10-1 in the first round and Bear Creek’s Hai Nguyen 10-5 in the second round.

“Danny was really aggressive and pushed him (Oechel) hard,” Lodi coach John Stroh said.

Oechel will go for his third consecutive SJAA title today when he faces St. Mary’s Ryan Stormes.

Lodi’s Mitch Hanner, who finished runner-up to Oechel the past two years, beat Stagg’s Johnathan Rojas 10-9 in the opening round before losing to Tokay’s Tom Woeful 10-5 in the second round.

While Lodi failed to put anyone in the singles final, Stroh said the Flames could easily make it an all-Lodi final in doubles play.

Hanner will team up with Miladinovich and Jack Zech will partner with Roman Ranke.

Tokay’s Woeful and Cliff Sutherland will team up for Tokay.

Doubles play gets underway at noon.

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