After an exhaustive 2 hour and 30-minute action-packed rally, American junior Michael Mmoh, No. 10, was knocked out in the first round against unranked Yunseong Chung from Korea at the 2014 US Open Junior Boys' Singles.

Mmoh dominated the first set but suddenly the 90-degree Fahrenheit heat and his frustration with play calling, combined with a persistent comeback from Chung got the best of him and he lost, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6.

The 16-year-old Mmoh explained his perspective on playing at a junior level.

"I felt a lot of pressure today. My other friends are rivals and have won so you don't want to be left behind, kind of in the dust. Because I was the 10th seed here obviously I was supposed to do better than losing first round."

One of Mmoh's closest friends, Francis Tiafoe, No. 1, is amongst one of his rivals in the junior singles circuit.

Francis Tiafoe (left) and Michael Mmoh (right) made their doubles debut in the professional circuit representing USA at the 2014 US Open and extended their journey to the second round. Photo by: Mike Lawrence/usopen.org

"There's also a different mentality when you're playing them (pros). There's no pressure, just playing the game to your fullest, compared to juniors where there are high expectations. It's different and it's amazing how much (your play) can change with pressure and without pressure." Mmoh said after experiencing a minor dosage of what will come in the near future as he prepares to perform in the pro circuit.

"Two years ago I played US Open Juniors I won a round, and same thing back then, no pressure. I was playing and going for everything and believing in everything. It's just different. It's good for me though...experiencing the pressure because if I do make it to the top then obviously the pressure is ten times more."

Right now Mmoh is focused on performing in the pro circuit and looks up to Frenchman Gael Monfils.

"I like his personality and I think we have a similar game."

They both have a strong serve, forehand, and similar sliding technique. Mmoh's 6'2", 190 lbs stature and power should be advantageous in the pro circuit. He's been training at IMG Academy, led by Nick Bollettieri, the legend who helped produce US tennis great Andre Agassi.

Michael Mmoh at 2014 US Open Junior Boys' Singles first round match against Yunseong. Chung Photo by: Chris Trotman/Getty Images

But will college ever be a part of Mmoh's future? "Right now, no. I really love the sport of tennis," Mmoh said with certainty.

Even though his three older siblings graduated from the University of Maryland and he visited the campus several times, becoming a professional tennis player is his primary focus.

"College is nice but I don't want to get distracted. I especially don't want the social life to affect my tennis game. I want to be a pro."

His peer, Noah Rubin, who was a wildcard in the 2014 US Open, entered his freshman year at Wake Forest University with a scholarship where his schedule will allow him to play pro events. After Rubin completes his freshman year he is able to leave the university and return at any time to complete his degree.

Mmoh wasn't completely aware of that type of scholarship opportunity. He said he would have to investigate more on how to play collegiate tennis that is able to help leverage his professional career.

"You never know what may happen two years from now but right now I am focusing on tennis," Mmoh concluded.

One would think Mmoh would be interested in attending business school with his entrepreneurial experience since he created a mobile app at the age of 13 called "Over-snow."
It's a game where you tap away falling snowflakes before they reach the ground. It is useful to enhance hand-eye coordination.

"For now nothing really grabs my attention," Mmoh said in terms of a future career outside of tennis. Like many athletes or anyone in general, you can never catch him without wearing his red Beats by Dre headphones.

"But maybe it would be really good to be the owner of Beats." Mmoh quickly said while glancing at his headphones.

Michael Mmoh close friend and doubles partner Francis Tiafoe being interviewed while rocking his red Beats by Dre

The son of former ATP pro and Nigerian Olympian Tony Mmoh, and coached by former ATP pro, Glenn Weiner, Michael is making moves to play professional events regularly. Two years is a long time for Mmoh to evaluate whether or not he plans to attend college. For now, he'll continue to develop his game- especially mentally like he referenced, and go to Futures tournaments and increase his ATP ranking.

Update: On October 26, 2014, Mmoh achieved a career milestone and made tennis history by winning his first professional tournament title at the City of Brownsville Men's Pro Tennis Classic in Brownsville, Texas becoming the youngest player to win a USTA men's Pro Circuit event since Rhyne Williams who won the Pittsburgh Futures in 2007.

The Qualies: A jam-packed, exciting event at the US OPEN

The first week of the US OPEN is not what many people may think. In fact, it isn’t even the US Open, it’s actually the US Open Qualifying Tournament and it’s one of the biggest tennis competitions on the planet, awarding almost $2 million in winnings. As it does every year, the “Qualies,” as it is commonly called, is packed into four days, from Tuesday, August 25th to Friday, August 28th. The Qualies showcase 128 men and women routinely ranked from 105 to 250 in the world. Each player must try and win three matches to secure one of the 32 spots available in the main draw, 16 men, and 16 women.

This time of year is always filled with excitement and anticipation of seeing the greatest tennis players in the world on our home turf, New York, USA. There is no greater feeling than arriving at the USTA National Tennis Center and picking up the media credentials that allow #What’sThe411Sports & #411SportsTV to cover the biggest annual event hosted in NYC and maybe the country.

The Qualies: Early Exits from US OPEN

The US OPEN spans a full three weeks, starting with the Qualifying Week for all the unseeded and in some cases former established players, like fan favorite Nicholas Almagro of Spain, who lost after an incredible three set match 6-7, 6-4, 4-6 to Guilherme Clezar and his raucous Brazilian fans, late into Thursday evening. And it’s been an extremely difficult “Qualies” for the Americans, with many hopefuls, like former World Juniors Girls Champion, Taylor Townsend, who had to play World #1, Serena Williams, in her opening match last year after getting through Qualies and 2014 sensation, Victoria Duval, whose dad miraculously survived the devastating earthquake in Haiti.

Professional tennis players Victoria Duval (left) and Taylor Townsend

On the men’s side, the very lengthy 6’10” Reilly Opelka of Florida and last year’s local standout, 19 year-old Noah Rubin from Long Island are also out after the second round.

Tennis Legend Althea Gibson Gets Long-Awaited Recognition

The other amazing celebration that always signals the start of the US Open Championships is on August 25th, the birthday of US Open and major champion winner and first African-American to win a major tennis tournament, Althea Gibson.

Tennis legend, Althea Gibson

This amazing tennis legend is finally receiving appropriate recognition this year because of a long overdue award-winning documentary on her life’s triumphs and travails. It’s ALTHEA week all this week and the documentary film is being screened at six venues in seven days giving it momentum going into its airing on PBS’ American Masters on September 4th.

Behold the US Open Food Tasting Preview

Another “Qualies” week celebration is food and more precisely, gourmet food, was the name of the game at the always well-attended US Open Food Tasting Preview that brings all the top chefs who are contributing dishes to this year’s US Open.

Not to rub it in, but some of the selections were out of this world, like Marea’s Lobster Burrata and Champions Bar and Grill’s Costata, a 40 oz. dry aged tomahawk ribeye steak. And, to make it all taste even better was beverage host, Grey Goose’s signature, Honey Duece cocktail.

Glenn Gilliam, What's The 411Sports Host (in front), with renown Celebrity Chef Masaharu Morimoto who makes Serena Williams favorite sushi dishes

US OPEN: A Place to See World-class Tennis and Meet New Friends

But the best part of the US OPEN’s Qualies Week is that it is free to attend (the rest of the US OPEN tournament is a paid event, sorry) and the people you meet everywhere on the tennis center grounds…usually at the food court, or at least often.

Glenn Gilliam, What's The 411Sports Host (center), with newfound friends at the 2015 US OPEN

I met two wonderful gentlemen, Joe “King” Cole, and Edwin Douglas, both 90-years young.

Cole, who lives not far from me in Southeast Queens, plays tennis twice a week and takes it indoors during the winter months. He lives in Cambria Heights and plays at the Rochdale Tennis Courts behind the Count Basie School at 133-25 Guy R. Brewer Boulevard during the summer and at Alley Pond Park inside the bubble when it’s cold.

Joe "King" Cole (left) and his friend William Klint from Pennsylvania at the 2015 US OPEN in New York City 

Both gentlemen have won the Senior Olympics title for their age group in tennis and Mr. Douglas met Althea Gibson in her prime at the original home of the US OPEN in Forest Hills back in the 1960s. Sharing stories about the game we love with wise and proud men like these are what makes the US OPEN so special…see ya on the courts and on the TV. #411SportsTV