Middlesex's Lachlan McCaghren completes rally to win Individual Boys' Tennis crown

Boston Globe

26-05-2025

After clawing his way back from the brink, McCaghren seized control and never let go.
In a roller coaster match at Babson College, second-seeded McCaghren rallied to defeat top-seeded Vargas, 1-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-1, to claim the state title.
Advertisement
The victory capped off three days of statewide, single-elimination competition, which brought together 68 singles players from public, private, and prep schools, and was organized for the second year by the United States Tennis Association.
Get Starting Point
A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday.
Enter Email
Sign Up
'That first set, he was killing me,' McCaghren said. 'But I believed I could hang with him. Mentally, I knew I could do it.'
Duxbury senior Tim Vargas was in control for most of the boys' singles final Monday at Babson, but he was left frustrated in the end against Middlesex's Lachlan McCaghren.
Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff
The individual title had been a goal for McCaghren since last year, when he lost a heartbreaking three-set Round of 16 match to Milton senior John Dickens, who went on to reach the semifinals.
But McCaghren leveled up his game over the past year, growing both in physical stature and confidence. He went 14-2 at first singles for Middlesex this season, and entered the tournament feeling prepared for a deep run.
Advertisement
Earlier on Monday, McCaghren claimed a semifinal victory (6-3, 6-3) over Cambridge sophomore Alonso Berry, and Vargas defeated Lexington freshman Joshua Chen, 6-2, 6-4, in the other semifinal.
But despite the smooth semifinal, McCaghren stumbled early in the final. Vargas used his steady backhand to move McCaghren around the court and set up forehand winners, which he executed with pace.
But once McCaghren wrestled back momentum late in the second set, he dominated the rest of the match.
In the third set, McCaghren wore Vargas down with a sharp first serve and consistent baseline play, breaking at 1-1 and 3-1 to put the final nail in his triumph.
'I definitely wanted some revenge from last year,' McCaghren said. 'Being the Massachusetts state tournament [winner], it's a lot of fun and a big deal. I've always wanted to win this one.'
Brookline senior twins Ravin (left) and Kiran Bhatia show off the hardware after winning the USTA Massachusetts doubles title at Babson.
Matty Wasserman
Brookline twins storm to doubles title
With no USTA tournament experience prior to this weekend, Brookline seniors Kiran and Ravin Bhatia knew five matches in three days would test their mental and physical stamina.
But the senior twins never let up, cruising to a 6-1, 6-2 win over Concord-Carlisle seniors TJ Fahey and Dan Lynch in the doubles final.
'Coming here, these three days, it really gave us a lot of confidence in the way that we were playing,' said Ravin Bhatia. 'I'd say we really rediscovered our level. And I just couldn't be happier right now.'
The Bhatia twins were 11-0 at first doubles during the regular season, and hold a 53-2 together over the past three seasons. They had previous topped Fahey and Lynch on April 29 in a straight-set win during Brookline's 4-1 team victory.
Advertisement
Still, both brothers knew the level of consistency required to get through the entire tournament would be heightened — and the pair persisted without ever dropping a set.
With the MIAA postseason now on the horizon and Brookline entering as the No. 3 seed in Division 1, the twins are hopeful that their triumph on Monday can serve as additional momentum.
'No match was a cake walk. Every match was a challenge. And so we had to adjust. We had to adapt. And I think that really helps us coming into the postseason,' Ravin Bhatia said.
Matty Wasserman can be reached at