American players dominated the Nike Junior International Teen Tennis event in Bolton (GBR), winning three of the four available titles. Appearing in Europe for back-to-back Category 1 events in Bolton and Tarbes, the US squad wasted no time in making an impact on the draws, causing some shocks along the way. In the boys’ event, Nathan Han recovered from a set down to inflict a 1-6 6-1 6-1 defeat on the top seed and European #1 Jack Draper in the quarterfinals, while wild card Anton Matusevich beat seeds in five consecutive matches, including #2 Adrian Andreev (BUL) in the semi-finals and #10 Lodewijk Westrate (NED) in the final, conceding just four games in the title match.
Westrate had earlier teamed with Nini Dica (ROU) to claim the doubles title over Han and Govind Nanda (USA) and looks set to make a big rankings jump next Tuesday.
The girls’ event also saw its top seed knocked out by an American in the quarterfinals as Amanda Anisimova ended the run of Oona Orpana on the Finn’s 14th birthday. Ansimova then beat compatriot Hurricane Tyra Black in the semi-finals but lost out to another American – Caty Mcnally in the final, 6-1 6-3. It was a great week for both Mcnally and Ansimova, who teamed up to beat Brits Sonay Kartal and Mae Mccutcheon for the doubles title.
