After the flurry of activity that was the Summer Cups, it was back to regular tour action this week. Here’s a review of all the action that came our way over the past seven days, which included two Category 1 events as well the Small States Championships.
Antonio Hernandez Cup | 14&U Cat.1
Barcelona (ESP)
Now a firm staple on the TEJT, this event was held at the Emilio Sanchez Academy, celebrating their 25th anniversary this year. Players to have graced these courts in their TEJT days include Paula Badosa and Carlos Alcaraz.
After a three-set opening round match for the top-seed local Izan Bañares, started of shakily but was rock steady as the tournament progressed. In the final he played compatriot Ian Barroeta who scored a surprise comeback win over the top seeded Bañares, taking the match, along with his third TEJT title, 4-6 6-1 6-2. This was one of the many shocks in a boys’ tournament which had its fair share of surprises. Jinhong Yang (CHN) took out third seed and recent Düren Super Category finalist Mario Vukovic (FRA) in the quarters before falling to Bañares in the semis. Another upset came when second seeded Patrick Breen (IRL) lost to Barroeta, also in the quarters.
In the girls’ draw, an all-Japanese final saw Sakino Miyazawa defeat Miyu Iwasa 6-1 4-6 6-2. The top-seeded Europeans girls fared worse than the boys, with a slew of upsets over the week. In round three, top seed Andrea Olariu (ROU) was beaten by Daniel Blustein (ISR) who then fell to Iwasa. Second seed Sofie Mottlova (CZE) lost to Ofir Manhard (ISR) in the QF. She was in turn defeated by Miyazawa, as had been third seed Ailish Garcia Fernandez (ESP) in the quarterfinals.
Boys’ doubles champions: Eduard Khaikov & Jinhong Yang (CHN)
Girls’ doubles champions: Miyu Iwasa (JPN) & Sakino Miyazawa (JPN)
Baublies Jugend Cup RR | 14&U Cat.1
Renningen (GER)
This famed event on the Junior Tour has become a favourite amongst players, not only for its rich history, but also for the beauty of the club and courts. This year was no exception with packed qualifying and main draws as well as plenty of social media activity.
Home player and Stockholm Super Category runner-up Johann Nagel-Heyer won his second title of the year, while Bosnian Tea Kovacevic has racked up an amazing seventh title - three of which were 16&U events.
In the boys’ final Nagel-Heyer defeated Sebastian Tejerina (POL) 6-2 5-7 7-6(4). The Pole had earlier dismissed top seed Andrei Radu (ROU) in the quarters. The third and fourth seeds lived up to their seedings with deep runs to the semis for both Rafael Pagonis (GRE) and Richard Krizan (SVK), who fell to the champion and runner-up respectively.
Kovacevic posted a 7-5 6-2 win in the final over Maria Valentina Pop (ROU), avenging her final loss in the Dr Oetker Junior Trophy final and bringing their head-to-head to 1-1. Top girls’ seed and last week’s Düren champ Viktorija Cesonyte (GER) was on the road to back-to-back finals before being halted 6-1 6-1 in a dominating semifinal performance by her doubles partner Kovacevic. Fourth seeded Turk Ayse Bal’s run to the semis somewhat of a return to form and could help get her back in the Race top 8 and into contention for a spot in Monte Carlo.
Boys’ doubles champions: Tommy Patrik Luxa (CZE) & Tobias Zapsky (CZE)
Girls’ doubles champions: Viktorija Cesonyte (GER) & Tea Kovacevic (BIH) (pictured below)
Small States Championships | 14&U Cat.2
Luxembourg (LUX)
The second year of the event was yet another success. Players from several small tennis nation were in competition over 5 days. Prior to the event a training camp was also held at the venue under the guidance of the FLT and the ITF. Team Cyprus dominated the podia, providing the champions in all four categories.
Boys’ champion: Michael Genethliou
Girls’ champion: Andrea Georgiou Papakyriacou
Read about the Small States Championships in more detail here.
Elsewhere on the TEJT:
- Sofia, Bulgaria
Daniel Valter has won a third title from four finals this season at this 14&U Cat.2 Levski Cup. Claiming her first ever singles title on the TEJT was Britain’s Lisa Bolton.
- Uherske Hradiste, Czechia
Adding to his 12&U Cat.2 win in Shkoder (ALB), Julien Zieba of Poland has won his first Cat.1 title at the UH Cup, putting him in contention for a spot at the Carlos Moyà 12&U Festival in November. Beata Maresova (CZE) won her third Cat.1 event of the year.
- Vadu Lui Voda, Moldova
David Stefan Burac (ROU) won his second 16&U title of the year, whilst also nabbing a win in the doubles at the Regata Junior Trophy. After two runner-up trophies in 14&U events this year, Anna Shchavinska got her TEJT breakthrough win at this 16U&U Cat.2 tournament across the border from her native Ukraine.
Click here for all of this week’s tournament winners.