 Photographer: Sergio Carmona
Date: 29 Sep 2005 |  Photographer: Corinne Dubreuil
Date: 25 Jan 2007 |  Photographer: None / Not Applicable
Date: 21 Mar 2006 |  Photographer: Susan Mullane
Date: 07 Jun 2006 |  Photographer: Corinne Dubreuil
Date: 23 Jan 2007 |  Photographer: Corinne Dubreuil
Date: 23 Jan 2007 |
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| 16 Mar 2007 - ITF - James Harrisson | |
| 2007 Copa Gerdau Preview |
2007 Copa Gerdau Preview
The ITF/COSAT South American circuit reaches it climax this week, as top players from around the globe contest the season’s third Grade A title.
The clay courts of the Associaçao Leopoldina Juvenil in Porto Alegre host an ITF Junior Grade A event for the first time, having succeeded the Banana Bowl as Brazil’s flagship tournament.
The boys’ draw boasts two top five ranked players, with a strong field waiting in the wings, should any upsets occur. Czech world number three Roman Jebavy is favourite to claim the title, following some strong performances during January’s Australian Open Summer Circuit. Jebavy reached the quarterfinal of Copa Gerdau in 2006, picked up one title and twice reached quarterfinals in Australia.
The biggest obstacle facing Jebavy is Brasilian Fernando Romboli, who will enjoy all the advantages of playing a tournament on home soil. The reigning Coffee Bowl champion has won the majority of his ranking points in South America and could prove hard to beat if he gains momentum and can profit from his home advantage.
Chilean Guillermo Rivera-Aranguiz is another pretender to the Gerdau crown, having already reached three finals in 2007 and picked up one title. The world number 13 has also won a substantial number of ranking points in doubles competition, mostly with fellow Brazilian and winner of the Banana Bowl warm up event, Ricardo Urzua-Rivera, who will be seeded six in Porto Alegre.
Other possible contenders in the boys’ event are Henrique Cunha (BRA) and Gastao Elias (POR), who have both seen a marked improvement in their ranking since the start of the year and will feel confident of boosting their points totals this week.
With many top ranked players absent from the girls’ draw, competition will be fierce to win valuable ranking points and break into the top ten. Top seed will be world number 16 Reka Zsilinszka (USA). The American, who reached the third round of this year’s Australian Open, has made four finals in the last twelve months but is still searching for her first ITF Junior title.
Zsilinszka’s closest rival for the title is likely to be another home favourite, Brazilian Roxanne Vaisemberg. Quarterfinalist in 2006, Vaisemberg has seen her ranking fall over recent months. This is largely due to a shortage of appearances in ITF Junior events, coupled with a failure to defend points won during a very successful 2005.
USA based Belgian Tamaryn Hendler is the youngest player to be seeded next week. Hendler, who beat Zsilinszka and Vaisemberg on her way to the Banana Bowl title last week, has been included for the first time in Belgium’s Fed Cup squad, who face USA in Florida next month. Two titles in Morocco last year cemented Hendler’s position amongst the top junior players, and a second win Brazil would make her a long-standing fixture in the top 20.
Also in the running in the girls’ event are Ioana Ivan (ROM) and Valeria Solovieva (RUS), both of whom have tasted success in lower level tournaments but have yet to prove themselves on a bigger stage.
For daily updates from the Copa Gerdau visit www.itftennis.com/juniors.
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