 Photographer: juniortennis.com
Date: 15 Dec 2008 |  Photographer: juniortennis.com
Date: 15 Dec 2008 |  Photographer: juniortennis.com
Date: 15 Dec 2008 |  Photographer: juniortennis.com
Date: 15 Dec 2008 |  Photographer: juniortennis.com
Date: 15 Dec 2008 |  Photographer: juniortennis.com
Date: 15 Dec 2008 |  Photographer: juniortennis.com
Date: 15 Dec 2008 |  Photographer: juniortennis.com
Date: 15 Dec 2008 |
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| 15 Dec 2008 - Helen McFetridge | |
| Bhambri and Boserup take Orange Bowl titles |
India’s Yuki Bhambri and American Julia Boserup ended 2008 in style by picking up the singles titles at the Orange Bowl, the last Grade A of the year on the ITF Junior Circuit, yesterday. It was Bhambri’s second Grade A win in a row after his victory at the Osaka Mayor’s Cup, while for wild card Boserup it was the first title at any level on the ITF Junior Circuit.
The year-end number one ranking was at stake in both boy’s and girls’ events, which lent an extra layer of drama to the tournament. Bhambri had to win both singles and doubles and hope rival Tsung-Hua Yang (TPE) fell at the first hurdle, which ultimately proved too much to ask. However, top seeded Yang was beaten in the last 16 by American Alex Domijan, who was in turn knocked out by compatriot Jarmere Jenkins. Jenkins faced Bhambri in the first Grade A final of his junior career, but never troubled the second seed, who eased to a 61 63 win.
The girls’ singles looked set to be a straight fight for the year-end number one spot between Ana Bogdan (ROU) and Laura Robson (GBR), the top two seeds. When Robson was forced to withdraw from her third round match due to injury, Bogdan’s path seemed to have been cleared. However, the American contingent in the draw had other ideas: five of them made the last eight, including Sloane Stephens, who destroyed the top seed without losing a game. Stephens was joined in the last four by three other Americans, Christina McHale, Lauren Embree and Julia Boserup. McHale defeated Stephens in a three-set marathon to reach her first major final against fellow wild card Boserup. Another three-set battle ensued, but this time Boserup came out on top to win her first ITF Junior Circuit title.
The earlier than expected defeats of Bogdan and Robson leave Thailand’s Noppawan Lertcheewakarn in top spot in the year-end rankings.
Americans also dominated the doubles, providing seven of the eight finalists and both winning teams. The boys’ title was won by Jenkins and Devin Britton, while Asia Muhammad and Lauren Embree took the girls’ crown.
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