This past week saw the Race to Monte-Carlo reach its climax, as the points earned will go towards the forthcoming definitive rankings update. Players have been scrambling for some last-minute points in order to grab one of the coveted spots at the prestigious tournament. Let’s take a look at some of the main events of the week...
Category 1 | 16&U | Most Open, Most (CZE)
Alena Kovackova is in red-hot form, playing her second final in as many weeks. Last week she took the title at the Super Category tournament in Maia and now she has backed it up with a great performance on home soil. Untroubled on her way to the semifinals, she ran into compatriot Eliska Forejtkova, who pushed her to three sets.
Her opponent in the final was the Russian Alisa Oktiabreva, who had earlier taken out the second seed Nela Linhartova (CZE) in straight sets. The final was perhaps the surprise of the tournament, with the Russian fighting back from one set down to win the title 4-6 7-5 6-4. Irrespective of this result, another run to the finals sets up Kovackova as a player to watch going into Monte-Carlo.
After a disappointing run in Les Petits As, Ognjen Milic came into the tournament as the top seed. After a tough three-set comeback win against Sydney Peter Zick (GER) in the second round, the Serb soon found his stride. He sailed effortlessly into the final without the further loss of a set. In the bottom half, second seed Justin Engel (GER) withdrew, which made the path of fifth seed Paolo Angeli somewhat smoother, with the Slovenian advancing to his third final of the year. However, it was not all easy sailing as he did have some difficulty in overcoming Czech Jan Rastica in the quarterfinals, being pushed to three sets. As with the girls’ final, this final was another three-set affair, but this time the top seed Milic beat Angeli 6-1 6-7(6) 6-3 to secure his fifth title of the year.
Boys’ doubles champions: Paolo Angeli (SLO) & Ziga Sesko (SLO)
Girls’ doubles champions: Lea Belanska (SVK) & Alena Kovackova (CZE)
Category 2 | 16&U | Sanchez Casal Youth Cup, Barcelona (ESP)
Mariia Masiianskaia (RUS) has done herself no harm in posting a fifth tournament win of the year. Currently sitting at number eight in the Race she has consolidated her position in the top eight with a win in Barcelona. In the final she beat Emily Sartz-Lunde (NOR) 7-6(6) 6-2. Meanwhile in the boys draw local talent and one of last year’s stars of the 14 & Under circuit, Martin Landaluce (ESP) beat his Bulgarian doubles partner Georgi Georgiev 6-4 6-3 in a final on home soil.
The boys singles finalists teamed up to win the doubles title. There was also a double treat for Masiianskaia, as she took the doubles title with compatriot Maria Sysoeva.
Category 2 | 14&U | Tennis Europe B93, Copenhagen (DEN)
Ludwig Hermann (NOR) won his second title of the year. He beat Swede William Rejchtman Vinciguerra 7-6(6) 6-4 in the final. Meanwhile, the girls’ champion was Brit Sophie Bekker. She beat doubles champ Eva Cikajlo (SLO) 7-6(6) 6-1 in their title decider.
Boys’ doubles champions: Ludwig Hermann (NOR) & Johan Oscar Lien (NOR)
Girls’ doubles champions: Eva Cikajlo (SLO) & Jana Svobodova (CZE)
The final Race to Monte-Carlo rankings will be published early this week followed by a confirmation of the players who will be able to attend. This year the tournament will be held in the new venue at the Monte-Carlo Country club, the site of the ATP Rolex Masters. Stay tuned!
The Junior Tour is not over for 2021 though: this week there are seven events being held across the three age categories, calling in on Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Greece, Slovakia and Spain. Click here for the latest draws and results from all tournaments.