 Photographer: Corinne Dubreuil
Date: 30 Jan 2009 |  Photographer: None / Not Applicable
Date: 12 May 2008 |  Photographer: Corinne Dubreuil
Date: 28 Jan 2009 |  Photographer: Corinne Dubreuil
Date: 26 Jan 2009 |  Photographer: Corinne Dubreuil
Date: 27 Jan 2009 |  Photographer: Hiromasa Mano
Date: 08 Oct 2008 |
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| 18 May 2009 - ITF - James McGurran | |
| 50th Trofeo Bonfiglio Preview |
The 50th Trofeo Bonfiglio tournament begins this week in Milan, Italy. The tournament marks the culmination of a series of clay court tournaments in the country. As the first Grade A event of the year in Europe, it traditionally provides a portent to the forthcoming Grand Slam Roland-Garros Junior Championships.
Celebrating it’s semi-centennial year, the Trofeo Bonfiglio has a history of attracting the best players from European and beyond. This year is no exception as a truly world class field has assembled at the prestigious tournament. No fewer than thirteen of the world’s top twenty girls, and eleven of the world top twenty boys will contest the singles titles on the clay courts of the TCM Bonacossa.
In the girls event, the current world number one, Laura Robson (GBR) makes her first appearance at an ITF Junior Circuit event since reaching the final of the Australian Open Junior Championships in January. Robson will certainly be looking to improve on the quarterfinal finish to this championship in last year’s event.
Perhaps Robson’s greatest challenge will come from Timea Babos (ROU). Babos is the form player going into the tournament, having lost just two of her past 24 matches, claiming three Grade 1 titles in the process. Ana Bogdan (ROU), world number two will also renew her challenge for both titles and the top ranking spot. Bogdan most recently triumphed at the Grade 2 Cap D’Ail championships last month, which was also played on clay.
The enigmatic figure of Ajla Tomljanovic (CRO) makes her return to the Junior Circuit in Milan. Tomljanovic claimed the first Grade A of the 2009 Circuit. In taking the Casablanca Cup in Mexico, Tomljanovic defeated both Bogdan and Babos en route. But that impressive victory was followed by a disappointing first round loss at the Australian Open Junior Championships and then a four month hiatus from the Circuit.
Silvia Njiric (CRO) claimed the Grade A Copa Gerdau on Porto Alegre’s clay courts this year, as well as reaching the semifinals of the Banana Bowl, and so she brings with her the most established credentials on clay this year.
Also contending for the title will be Camila Silva (CHI) the highest ranked South American in the draw and a very strong clay courter. Urikke Eikeri (NOR) also had success on the South American clay courts in January and February, winning two grade 2 titles, and she will expect to repeat her earlier form here in Milan.
In the boys event, the draw is dominated by Asian players, who account for three of the top four. The draw is topped by world number four Liang-Chi Huang (TPE). Huang claimed two Grade 1 titles in March, before losing the final of the Grade 1 Japan Open to compatriot Cheng Peng Hsieh (TPE), who also participates. Current Asian Champion Shuichi Sekiguchi (JPN) will also participate, looking for his first title on clay.
Julen Uriguen returns to the Junior Circuit after mini hiatus from the Circuit since his semifinal loss in the Australian Junior Open Championships. Agustin Velotti (ARG) is the first clay court specialist and the highest South American in the draw. France’s Gianni Mina is the top European in the draw and also the form player over the past two months. Having lost in the final of the Copa Gerdau in March, Mina returned home and claimed the Grade 2 Istres and Garde 1 Cap D’Ail titles on clay this month.
Daily reports from the tournament will follow.
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