 Photographer: Susan Mullane
Date: 26 Sep 2008 |  Photographer: Susan Mullane
Date: 05 Sep 2007 |  Photographer: Susan Mullane
Date: 01 Sep 2008 |  Photographer: Susan Mullane
Date: 02 Sep 2008 |  Photographer: Susan Mullane
Date: 02 Jul 2008 |  Photographer: Susan Mullane
Date: 26 Sep 2008 |
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| 11 Dec 2008 | |
| Seeds Safely Through on Day 2 at Orange Bowl |
Day two was an altogether quieter day at the Dunlop Orange Bowl. The Boys’ and Girls' draws began on Monday, with top seeds Tsung-Hua Yang and Ana Bogdan each advancing to the second round. Yang’s victory over Matthew Kandath saw him confirmed as the No.1 ranked Junior in the world. In contrast to the highlights of day one, day two was a return to normality, as it saw the majority of matches go to form, with the completion of the first round in both draws for the loss of just four seeds in total.
The most notable casualty on day two was Guillaume Rufin (FRA). Seeded three in the boys draw, Rufin came into the tournament on the crest of a wave of confidence, having claimed the first Grade 1 title of his Junior career at the Copa Yucatan last month. However, in his final appearance of the year, Rufin was forced into a three set battle with Julen Uriguen (GUA). Despite being ranked 100 places higher in the Junior rankings, Rufin was unable to impose himself and lost a tight first set. He upped his game in the second, before collapsing in the third, finally capitulating to the Guatemalan 76(2) 26 62. The only other seed to fall in the boys draw on day two was Egyptian Karim Maamoun. Seeded thirteen, Maamoun was blown away by American Alex Domijan 61 60.
Number two seed Yuki Bhambri (IND) progressed smoothly with a 60 62 victory over Wild Card Dennis Novikov (USA). Of the twelve matches involving Americans, six resulted in wins, the most notable being Domijan’s victory. However, whilst Harry Fowler’s (USA) win over Andres Bucaro (GUA) is not outstanding for the result, it does create the most appealing of the second round matches. Ranked 67, Fowler now plays Yuki Bhambri in the second round and should provide a stern challenge for Bhambri. The remaining seeds in action on day two all progressed with straight set victories.
In the girls draw, two further seeds fell. The most high profile loss of the draw so far was the loss of Heather Watson (GBR). The Briton had arrived in Florida having won the Copa Yaucatan in November and finishing as runner up in a second Grade 1 tournament last week, the Eddie Herr ITF. As a consequence Watson was seeded eighth in the Dunlop Orange Bowl. However, young American Asia Muhammad fully justified her selection as a Wild Card for the tournament by neatly defeating the Briton, 64 63. Fifteenth seed Jacqueline Cako (USA) also lost her opening match of the tournament to the Russian youngster Daria Gavrilova. Despite taking the first set, Cako couldn’t prevent Gavrilova claiming victory 67(6) 62 75.
Number two seed Laura Robson moved into the second round with a comfortable 61 62 victory over Julia Samuseva (RUS) whilst the winner of last weeks Grade 1 Eddie Herr ITF, Lauren Embree (USA), continued her fine form as well. In total twelve of the sixteen seeds have progressed to the second round.
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