Controversy, anger and tension aren’t words usually synonymous with “best friend.” But in a semifinal match Saturday at the Denver City Open, Kelli Woodman’s and Meagan Monaghan’s friendship halted once the first ball was served.
Woodman, the 2012 Class 5A state champion at Cherry Creek, needed a late, second-set rally to ignite a thrilling 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 comeback win at the Denver Tennis Club over last year’s runner-up. Top-seeded Monaghan, the 2011 4A state champion from Denver South, disputed several calls on volleys that led to points for Woodman, which helped to turn the tide.
A slow start nearly sunk Woodman, who admitted she had to overcome early nerves and blistering heat against her teenage doubles partner.
“Our relationship is similar to Serena (Williams) and (Victoria) Azarenka,” Woodman said. “Off the court, we’re great friends. But when we play each other, we’re enemies.”
Woodman didn’t always want to play tennis. She grew up playing basketball and didn’t pick up a racket until her father took her to the Colorado Athletic Club-Monaco at age 12.
Now, she calls tennis the love of her life.
It earned her a scholarship to Seattle University, where she just completed her sophomore year. Woodman said her love of traveling helped her decide to become an international business major.
She’ll have to give her dad an extra thanks on Father’s Day for helping her choose the right sport — although he might say the best gift she could give would be winning the Denver City Open.
“It would be amazing. It’s only been a week since school ended for me, so it would be a great start to my vacation,” Woodman said.
The road to becoming a champion wouldn’t be as familiar for Woodman. She has played Monaghan dozens of times, but her opponent at 9 a.m. Sunday will be a fresh face, at least for her.
Former Colorado State standout Lauren Strasburger, who won the singles and doubles titles at the Denver City Open in 2007 and 2013, will be hunting for the trifecta Sunday morning against Woodman.
“I won’t start off slow (Sunday), I can promise you that,” Woodman said.
Strasburger defeated former Kent Denver star Sammie Watson 6-4, 6-4 in her semifinal Friday.
For the men, Chris Cooprider will meet Samir Iftikhar at 10:30 a.m. for the title.
Cameron Wolfe: 303-954-1891, cwolfe@denverpost.com or
