 Photographer: Susan Mullane
Date: 27 Sep 2008 |  Photographer: Hiromasa Mano
Date: 15 Oct 2007 |  Photographer: Marcelo Ruschel
Date: 21 Mar 2008 |  Photographer: Sergio Carmona
Date: 13 Oct 2006 |  Photographer: Hiromasa Mano
Date: 15 Oct 2007 |  Photographer: Susan Mullane
Date: 03 Sep 2008 |
|
| 07 Oct 2008 - James McGurran | |
| Seeds Safely Through in Osaka |
The first day’s play at the Osaka Mayor’s Cup, Asia’s Grade A event, saw few shocks with all the top seeded players progressing comfortably.
In the boy’s event number 1 Yuki Bhambri (IND) had a straight sets 62 75 victory over Dino Dell’Orto (HKG). Bhambri’s confidence is currently high after recently leading his nation’s Junior Davis Cup team to fourth place in the competition. Hiroki Moriya (JPN) had a more straightforward victory in his first round match against Wild Card compatriot Keisuke Watanuki, winning 61 63 to mark a successful return to the ITF Junior Circuit after a 3 month hiatus. Moriya will be hoping to end his junior career on a high with a victory in Osaka.
The only boys’ seed to fall was number 12 Jordan Kelly Houston of New Zealand, who lost in three sets to Australian Maverick Banes. Four other seeded players were pushed by their opponents, including third seed Cheng-Peng Hsieh (TPE) who was forced to battle to defeat Ronak Manuja (IND) 57 64 64., but all except Kelly-Houston came though the first round.
The top seeds in the girls’ draw had it even easier than the boys, with the top four seeds only losing a combined total of fifteen games. Top seed and defending champion Kurumi Nara (JPN), beat compatriot Satomi Ohtsubo 61 60 while number two Ana Bogdan (ROU), who lost in the semifinal here last year defeated Mai Minokoshi 61 63. Both Nara and Bogdan have won Grade 1 titles already this year, with Nara taking the Japan Open in April. Bogdan has not claimed a title since March and will be hoping to repeat the success of the early part of the year in Osaka and claim her first Grade A title.
Four of the lower seeds in the girls’ event went out, number 7 Bianca Swanepoel (RSA), number 9 Mia Vriens (AUS), number 10 Silvia Njiric (CRO) and number eleven Kanyapat Narattana (THA) lost to Shu-Ying Hsieh (TPE), Satjaporn Mahajaroenkul (THA), Akiko Omae (JPN) and Chinami Ogi (JPN) respectively.
^ Back to Top
|
