Players representing seven countries went on through to the semifinals in KK & DP. Tomorrow Friday we anticipate exciting matches in the prestigious Tennis Europe Junior Tour U14 tournament.
On the top side of the draw, the top-seeded players Anastasiia Gureva (RUS) and Celine Naef (SUI) cruised into the semifinals with confidence and relatively easy wins, losing only a couple of games.
On the bottom half, it was considerably more even. Brenda Fruhvirtova (CZE) took on Tijana Sretenovic (SRB). After a very tight first set, Fruhvirtova held her focus and fought hard to take the second set as well.
Orange Bowl champion, American Clervie Ngounoue (picture) has lost the first set in three of her matches in this tournament, and this Thursday was no exception. The American seems to be a slow starter, but the match against Yaroslava Bartashevich (RUS) was of an extremely high calibre. Both players performed well, playing some great tennis which reminded us of the level displayed sometimes on the WTA tour. Both wanted to dominate the game with their massive serves and strong groundstrokes. In the end, Ngounoue was the winner, the final score being 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
The quarterfinals on the boy’s side were of an exceptional level with entertaining matches, long duals, and skilful play.
Today’s top match was probably Rashed Nawaf (QAT) against Maxim Zhukov (RUS). Nawaf, with his fast feet and magic hands, made is hard for Maxim to find a good rhythm. The ordinarily firm and calm Zhukov had set balls in the first, but final score ended 6-7, 2-6 in Nawafs favour, this player from Qatar is based at the Mouratouglou Tennis Academy in the French Riviera.
In the doubles, the Finnish/Estonian pair Byskata/Ojaakar stood triumphant defeating the favourites Mihai Alexandru Coman (ROU) and Georg Eduard Israelan (GER) after a tight match that entertained everyone lucky enough to be watching.
