Kirkland resident Henrik Wiersholm finished his junior tennis career at the US Open Junior Championships tennis tournament in New York City last week despite suffering from flu-like symptoms during most of the tournament. The soon-to-be college freshman won two singles matches but lost during the third round.

“I have had a great junior career,” Wiersholm said. “I am happy to be moving on to college and I want to do big things there as well.”

Wiersholm began the tournament with a victory during his first-round match by defeating Joao Menezes of Brazil, 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-3, on Aug. 31.

“The US Open is one of my last junior tournaments since I’m already in college so I’m playing pretty free right now, which I haven’t done in a while,” said the University of Virginia freshman following his second round match. “I’m playing well and with a lot of confidence.”

The Kirkland native defeated Lucas Miedler of Austria 7-5, 6-7(6), 6-2 during the second round of singles play despite being sick.

“It didn’t help that it was so hellishly hot out there. But for how bad I felt, I saw a lot of people struggling too,” Wiersholm said. “That kind of gave me some confidence going into my match today. I didn’t feel like I was at a disadvantage.”

The tournament came to an end for Wiersholm on Sept. 3 during the third round, losing to Duckhee Lee of South Korea, 6-1, 6-2.

“I’ll credit him, he played really well. He was definitely ready to go,” Wiersholm said. “He played fast, which normally I like that pace that he plays with, but I couldn’t keep up today at all.”

Wiersholm said he felt good but he was just kind of moving slow.

“I was just kind of lethargic today, very casual which you cannot do. It’s the US Open, you know?” Wiersholm said.

Wiersholm played just one doubles match. He teamed with Tommy Paul of Lumberton, N.J. but lost to Yunseong Chung and Seong-chan Hong of South Korea, 6-4, 7-5 during the first round.

“I think I have picked one of the best spots to play so I am excited about that,” Wiersholm said following his final singles match. “I know that this match is not a reflection of me as a tennis player but it is definitely a lesson to be learned. I know there are bigger and better things to be done.”

Steven Pratt contributed to this report.