|
|
| 15 May 2002 | |
| Juniors strut their stuff in Milan |
The first Grade A event of the European season has arrived and the top juniors will be heading to Milan to try their luck on the Italian red clay.
The fields for both the boys’ and girls’ draws include both of the current World No.1’s, Argentina’s Brian Dabul and Barbora Strycova from the Czech Republic.
Brian Dabul, the 18 year old from Buenos Aires, will be looking to pick up his first junior title of 2002 after finishing as runner up at the Banana Bowl in Brazil in March. The Argentinean will need a good performance in Italy to ensure he retains his No.1 spot as a win by several other players could knock him off the top spot.
Barbora Strycova is not only the current No.1 in the girls’ rankings, she also picked up the first Grand Slam title of the year in Australia. The Czech girl who turned sixteen in March also reached the final of the Banana Bowl in Brazil, and was part of the winning Czech team at the 2001 World Youth Cup in Chile, thus showing that she is comfortable playing on clay. This year will be Strycova’s first visit to Italy.
There are many players who will be looking to topple Dabul and Strycova, amongst them are several players who have already won Grade A titles in 2002.
Marcos Baghdatis from Cyprus beat Brian Dabul in the final of the Banana Bowl in Brazil back in March. The 16 year old, who trains at the Bob Brett academy near Paris is currently ranked No.3 and a win in Milan could take him to the top spot.
Another boy vying for the top spot is Coffee Bowl champion Marcel Felder. A resident of Montevideo, Uruguay, he lists his favourite surface as clay and will be hoping to make the most of his first visit to Milan.
2002 Australian Junior Open champion Clement Morel returns to the junior circuit to attempt to claim his second Grade A title of the year. Morel has performed well in the past in Milan, reaching the quarter finals last year where he was beaten by eventual champion Alejandro Falla Ramirez (COL).
Myriam Casanova could be Barbora Strycova’s main challenger in the girls’ draw. Not only has the Swiss girl won three junior titles this year including the Grade A Banana Bowl where she beat Strycova in the final, she has also featured in the Swiss Fed Cup team. In between all of this the 17 year old has also found the time to reach the final of a WTA event in Budapest.
Other contenders in the girls’ draw include Virag Nemeth from Hungary, runner up at last year’s event and Czech Republic’s Petra Cetkovska, the reigning junior doubles world champion.
Many eyes will be on Tatiana Golovin, the youngest player in the girls’ draw at 14 years of age. Golovin was born in Russia but is now a resident of France and plays under the French flag. She trains at the Nick Bollitieri academy in Florida and reached the last 16 of the Australian Junior Open aged only 13.
Undoubtedly the most vocal support of the week will be saved for Alberto Brizzi. Although now ranked 70 due to a six month injury enforced lay off, he has been as high as 19 in the rankings, picking up several tournament titles along the way. The young Italian will have a tough job to win the title but will undoubtedly get plenty of support as he tries.
To keep up to date with developments from Milan, check ITFjuniors.com daily.
^ Back to Top
|
