BETHLEHEM — After a momentum-boosting, three-set win in Monday’s quarterfinal round, Lehighton’s Bekim Cokrlija entered the District 11 boys tennis singles semifinals Thursday hoping to upset top-seeded Aveer Chahda.

But Chada, last year’s runner-up, held off Cokrlija through the first set, then dominated the second in a 6-4, 6-0 win Monday at Freedom High School. Chadha went on to win this year’s title Thursday, 6-3, 6-1 over Blue Mountain’s Evan Burcik.

“First set I played decent and I started coming back when it was 5-2,” said Cokrlija. “The second set all fell apart.”

The Lehighton senior had a 2-1 lead in the first set before Chadha blazed back to take a 5-2 lead. Cokrlija got it to 5-4 before the Lion junior finished off the set and didn’t lose a game the rest of the match.

“[Cokrlija] started off strong,” said Lehighton head coach Andrew Hozza. “He had an amazing season and he grew so much throughout the season. It was a lot of fun to watch. He had a phenomenal performance Monday in a great quarterfinal match, and the one before that. Very pleased with him. He had great hitting sessions over the week and he gave it his all today, and that’s all we ask for.”

Cokrlija was seeded fourth in the district tournament. After a 6-1, 6-1 win in the first round, he pulled out a 2-6, 7-6 (13-11), 6-2 match Monday against No. 5 seed Nikhil Skandan in the quarterfinals to earn his spot in the semifinals.

After a 6-2, 6-3 loss to Chadha during the regular season, Cokrlija was eager for a chance to avenge the loss in the postseason.

“I had a feel for the way he played, but he played better today,” said Cokrlija.

After qualifying for the tournament all four years of high school, 2026 was the first year Cokrlija won a pair of matches and reached the second day of the tournament. He went 0-1 in his first two trips, and won one match last year.

This was also Cokrlija’s first season as the Tribe’s No. 1 singles player after he played behind his brother, Bayto, his first three seasons.

“The jump from two to one is very significant,” said Hozza. “He had a 12-1 record in the regular season, which we’re thrilled with. He played very well in the postseason too.

“Bekim is a very consistent player. What makes him special is he’s got great size and he’s very consistent, but with power. He has the ability to control, play offense, play defense, go up to the net and do whatever he needs to do during a point. He can control a match in a way I’ve not seen from many high school players.”

Semifinals were originally scheduled for Wednesday, but were postponed by a day after Wednesday’s morning rain.

“I wish it was [Wednesday],” said Cokrlija. “I was feeling good yesterday. I was ready. I was feeling a little sluggish today. I can’t complain. It was fun to get here.”