|
|
| 21 Jan 2002 | |
| Is this Wimbledon or Melbourne on Day One |
By Eleanor Preston
On a day when Melbourne’s famously inclement weather lived up to its reputation and persistent rain fell for most of the day, a few lucky players managed to get on court to begin their Australian Open junior campaign. With none of the girls’ singles matches even starting, it was up to the boys to lead the way.
No.1 seed Brian Dabul made a perfect start to his bid to win his first junior Grand Slam with a 64 75 victory over Go Soeda of Japan. Dabul’s best result was a run to the final at Roland Garros last year and he is hoping to go one better Down Under. The seventeen-year-old from Buenos Aires will face Robert Yim of the USA in round two. Yim recovered from a shaky start to beat Austria’s Gunter Austerhuber 46 61 61.
Dabul is in the same section of the draw as one of Australia’s hopes, Ryan Henry. With the nation still reeling at the absence of home players from the second week of the senior event, Henry is one of the local juniors tying to fly the flag. He is hoping for a better run in the event this year after disappointing results here in the past. The last two years running Henry has gone out in the first round here, but today he broke his duck with a 63 63 win over Florian Lemke of Germany.
“I played a reasonable first round,” said Henry. “I didn’t do anything special but I’m pleased with the win. I’ve always wanted to do well in front of a home crowd.”
Henry admits that he was star struck on his first two visits to Melbourne Park and felt out of his depth when it came to sharing a locker room with the likes of Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi.
“In the past I’ve been overwhelmed. Playing in the Aussie Open, when there are lots of pros walking around, it’s been a bit hard to take in but I’ve played four Slams now and I’m slowly getting used to it.”
Henry plays Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who knocked out another of Australia’s hopes when he beat Callum Beale 63 62. In other results sixth seed Luka Gregorc booked his passage to the second round with a 62 61 defeat of Stephen Armitraj and Markos Baghdatis beat America’s Josh Cohen 63 76(4). He’ll play Teimuraz Gabachvilli after the Russian saw off Australian wildcard Foti Fotakis 62 62.
^ Back to Top
|
