 Photographer: None / Not Applicable
Date: 14 Aug 2007 |  Photographer: None / Not Applicable
Date: 10 Aug 2007 |  Photographer: None / Not Applicable
Date: 10 Aug 2007 |  Photographer: None / Not Applicable
Date: 10 Aug 2007 | | |
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| 10 Aug 2007 - Clare Scarr | |
| ITF 14 & Under teams enjoy success in Europe |
Four ITF 14 & under teams completed a successful tour to Europe last week, reaching 11 finals and winning five titles during the five events of the Young Stars Tour. The teams featured 42 players representing 24 countries, supported by nine coaches.
COSAT team members Franco Agamenone (ARG) and Tiago Fernandes (BRA), took the boys’ doubles title at the first tournament in Paris, defeating Asian team members Guan-Yu Cao and Yao-Zhong Zhang (CHN) 75 62. The second week saw the teams move on to Leeuwarden in Netherlands, where ITF team members Ki-Su Jung (KOR) and Iveta Dapkute (LIT) reached the boys’ and girls’ singles finals respectively. European team member, Curovic (SRB) along with Ekatarina Yashina of Russia, reached the girls’ doubles final but was unable to secure victory.
At Le 13/14 Hauts-de-Seine tournament, the Asian team put in an impressive performance. Luksika Kumkhum (THA) won the girls’ singles title, Yao-Zhong Zhang (CHN) reached the boys’ singles final, and Grace Ysidora (INA) and Ji-Yun Park (KOR) captured the girls’ doubles title.
Fernandes won the boys’ singles title at the 30 Rheinenergie Tennis Cup in Germany, while Kumkhum reached the girls’ singles final. At the same event Ysidora won her second girls’ doubles title, this time partnering Cynthia Setyawan (INA). During the last tournament, Lapperre Young Champions Cup, Park reached the girls’ doubles final.
The circuit, which forms part of the Tennis Europe 14 & Under Junior Tour, offers a sequence of top class events for players of this age group. The ITF uses the circuit for players from South America, Africa, Central America and the Caribbean, some parts of Europe, Asia and China, to gain experience and compare their skills against the best young European players and each other. The players qualified for the ITF teams by performing well in designated ITF regional events.
Farah Dayoub, one of the Asian team coaches, said: “Lots of beautiful memories were stored and the learning experience for both coaches and players is sure to have a big impact on their future careers. Regardless of the difference of languages and cultures, tennis and friendship made us one big family".
To access the drawsheets from the various tournaments, please refer to the individual tournament websites, which can be accessed by clicking here.
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