Manteca High’s Yok Chai Ma was eliminated in the opening round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II Individual Tournament on Monday at Johnson Ranch Racquet Club in Roseville.

In a back-and-forth battle between sophomores, Eidan Mercado of Mountain House defeated him, 6-54, 4-6, 10-7.

It’s the only loss of the season for Ma, the reigning Valley Oak League singles champion who was part of the winning doubles tandem at the SJS tourney last year.

“He played well and had chances,” Manteca coach Frank Fontana said. “He lost to a guy who made the semifinals from last year. He definitely has had grown on the season and improved so much.”

Seven local players are still alive in the SJS Coed Individual Tournament at Oak Park Tennis Center in Stockton.

Ripon’s Sahaj Gill is returning this morning for the singles semifinals. He is a win away from becoming Ripon’s first finalist since Brad Murdoch claimed the boys singles title in 2007.

For Ripon Christian, Jaden Bohn and Drew Meester are in the boys doubles semis, Josie Bohn and Ellie Dyt in girls doubles, and Tatum Sonke and Peter Van der Muelen in coed doubles.