Dent Moves Into Semifinals in Miami

Taylor Dent of Newport Beach defeated Servite’s Ryan Moore, 6-1, 6-4, in the quarterfinals of the boys’ 18s division at the Easter Bowl Junior tennis championships Wednesday in Miami.

Dent, who is seeded seventh, will meet third-seeded Brian Vahaly of Atlanta in today’s semifinals.

“This would be a good tournament to win,” Dent said. “I try not to live up to any expectations, and I try to be mentally tough.” Dent lost to Moore two weeks ago at an open tournament in Whittier, 6-4, 6-4.

“I was playing mentally scared,” Dent said. “I hate to lose, but it happens to everyone. I don’t know anyone who likes it.”