West Hartford — There was a calmness about Alex Zuczek, a thoughtfulness.

He stared off into the distance a few times before serving. He sauntered slowly around the court to retrieve balls. The dog barking close by his court at Conard High School didn't bother him in the least.

“Certain shots weren't really working well,” said Zuczek, a St. Bernard School senior. “I knew I couldn't get frustrated or I'd lose the match. I had to think my way around what I was doing. I picked my shots more carefully. I only hit shots I could make.

“Today was business.”

Thursday was the day Zuczek, whom his family affectionately refers to as Xander, finally became the Class S state champion in boys' tennis. It was the fourth such tournament for the top-seeded Zuczek and his first win, beating No. 2 Saba Cecunjanin of Old Saybrook 6-2, 6-2.

It was also the last match of Zuczek's high school career, as he has chosen not to participate in the upcoming State Open.

He finished as the four-time Eastern Connecticut Conference singles champion, never having lost to a league opponent, and will extend his career at Division III Carleton College in Northfield, Minn., which has been referred to nationally as “one of the Harvards of the Midwest.”

Zuczek had a rough day of it in the state semifinals Wednesday afternoon, coming from down 4-1 in the first set against No. 4 Ignasi Salles-Goula of Shepaug Valley to win 7-5, 6-0. He said he didn't want a repeat of that start against Cecunjanin, a tall left-hander.

“I was down 1-4 (Wednesday). In one of the changeovers I sat down and said, 'I'm not losing here. I'm not going to lose,'” Zuczek said. “My feet were moving really well. My serve was horrible. The best thing was my mental game. I was thinking clearly.”

Zuczek, who has worn his emotions clearly on his sleeve in the past, was actually more relieved when the championship moment finally arrived. He received his first-place medal, then spent some time taking pictures with his parents, Etsuko and Richard, brother Nick, St. Bernard coach Hugh Caldara and athletic director Sue Griffin.

“It's not as great as it would seem. I was expected to do it,” Zuczek said. “… I was almost the boy who cried wolf. Last year I told everyone 'I have a chance to win' and lost. I was pretty crushed by that. This year I said it again. I was a little worried about that. I'm proud I made it this far.”

Zuczek served out the final game to win the match, coming to the net and dunking a ball back at Cecunjanin for match point. Cecunjanin was the Shoreline Conference runner-up this season.

It capped an eventful week for Zuczek, who won the ECC title over Woodstock Academy's Tyler Huhtanen last Friday, becoming only the second player in league history to win four along side East Lyme graduate Tom Santoro.

Zuczek went from the ECC final at East Lyme to the Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Norwich for St. Bernard's graduation. That night, he attended his all-night graduation party, took part in paintball and enjoyed the magician that was performing, then napped through the bowling portion of the evening to prepare for Saturday morning's Class S first- and second-round matches at Conard beginning at 8 a.m.

“I'm so tired,” he said.

Of his calm Thursday?

“I've also matured,” Zuczek said. “I just cover it more. I put on a face.”

v.fulkerson@theday.com