January 2013 Honor Roll

February 8, 2013 12:46 PM
The monthly USTA Player Development Player and Coach Honor Roll recognizes the top performing young Americans and their coaches each month.
 
Here is a look at some of the most outstanding performances turned in by American tennis players ages 20 and younger in January:
 
Sloane Stephens (March 20, 1993), Los Angeles – It would have been hard to imagine January going any better for the 19-year-old Stephens. Her run to the semifinals of the Australian Open, defeating Serena Williams in the quarterfinals, vaulted her to a career-high No. 17 in the WTA world rankings, and she became the youngest American to advance to a Grand Slam semifinal since Serena herself in 2000 at Wimbledon. Prior to her breakout performance in Melbourne, Stephens reached the semifinals at the WTA event in Hobart, Australia, and the quarterfinals at the WTA tournament in Brisbane. She works with USTA National Coaches Troy Hahn and David Nainkin.
 
Madison Keys (Feb. 17, 1995), Rock Island, Ill. – Like Sloane Stephens, Keys also wowed Down Under. She reached the quarterfinals of the WTA event in Sydney, losing in three sets to Li Na, before reaching the third round of the Australian Open. As a result, Keys broke into the WTA Top 100 for the first time and is currently ranked a career-high No. 82. She works with USTA National Coach Juan Todero.
 
Bjorn Fratangelo (July 19, 1993), Pittsburgh – Fratangelo had perhaps his best month as a professional in January on the USTA Pro Circuit. The 2011 French Open boys’ champion won his first pro title at the $10,000 Futures in Weston, Fla., reached the final of the $10,000 Futures in Palm Coast, Fla., and reached the semifinals of the $10,000 Futures in Sunrise, Fla. He works with USTA National Coach Stanford Boster.
 
Christian Harrison (May 29, 1994), Shreveport, La. – Harrison tore through three ITF Futures tournaments in Great Britain, winning his first professional title in Sheffield, reaching the finals in Preston and advancing to the semifinals in Glasgow. He is coached by his father Pat.
 
Christina Makarova (May 29, 1996), San Diego – Makarova swept the singles and doubles (with Katrine Isabel Steffensen) titles at the Copa Gatorade ITF Junior event in Caracas, Venezuela, boosting her world junior ranking to a career-high No. 14. She is coached by her mother Luda.
 
Luca Corinteli (July 9, 1995), Alexandria, Va. – Corinteli made a strong run at the Copa Gatorade ITF Junior event in Caracas, Venezuela, reaching the boys’ singles final and winning the doubles title. He works with Vesa Ponkka and other coaches at the Junior Tennis Champions Center.
 
Mira Ruder-Hook (April 23, 1996), Denver – Ruder-Hook captured the girls’ singles title at the Wilson Canterbury Grade Four ITF Junior event in New Zealand as the only American in the draw.
 
Katrine Isabel Steffensen (March 15, 1996), Scarsdale, N.Y. – Steffensen made noise in doubles on the ITF Junior Circuit, winning doubles titles at the Copa Gatorade in Venezuela (with Christina Makarova) and at the ATP Guayas in Ecuador (with Dasha Ivanova). She is coached by Kela Simunyola.
 

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