U.S. Teams Sweeps on Second Day of Competition at ITF Junior Team Regional Championships in Boca Raton, Fla.
The United States swept all team competitions Saturday at the ITF North American/Caribbean Regional Championships for the Junior Davis Cup and Junior Fed Cup by BNP Paribas (for juniors aged 16-and-under) and World Junior Team Competition (for juniors aged 14-and under) at the USTA Training Center Headquarters at the Evert Tennis Academy in Boca Raton, Fla..
The U.S. Junior Fed Cup team clinched a spot in the World Final to be held in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, September 28 – October 3.
The U.S. Junior Fed Cup team experienced a thrilling day. Their action began with 16-year old Chanelle Van Nguyen falling to Canadian Elisabeth Abanda. Van Nguyen got of to a shaky start in the first set. The Floridian bounced back in the second, taking an early lead, but ultimately losing on the day 3-6, 5-7. Van Nguyen’s teammate, from Duluth, Ga., Grace Min, stepped up to the plate, taking down Eugenie Bouchard 6-3, 6-3. The 15-yeard old Min, immediately returned to the court, partnering with Kyle McPhillips to face Elisabeth Abanda and Eugenie Bouchard. In what was the longest and one of the most exciting matches of the day, the Americans went tick for tack with the Canadians. The battle saw two tiebreakers in the first and second set, forcing a third with the Min and McPhillips taking control. They captured the win 6-7(2), 7-6(5), 6-3. The United States will conclude the three-day tournament against the Bahamas and has clinched a spot at the World Cup Finals.
Setting the pace for the U.S. boy’s team in World Junior Team Competition, Daniel Kerznerman took on the Bahamas Philip Major. The ‘lefty’ battle saw Kerznerman get off to a strong lead, going up 5-2 in the first set before finishing Major off at 6-3. The 14-year old New Yorker surged to a 4-1 lead in the second set, before having to fend of an eager Major. Kerznerman was able to hold on and won 6-3, 6-3. Jordan Belga took to the court for the Americans in the second match, facing Justin Roberts. Belga, currently ranked No. 7 in the USTA Boys’ 14 National Standings, put up a hard fight in the first set. Going back and forth with powerful ground strokes against Roberts, the 13-year old was able to hang in there and win the first set 7-6. After wearing down his opponent, Belga cruised in the second set, taking the match 7-6, 6-2. Kerznerman returned later in the afternoon to team up with fellow New Yorker, Noah Rubin. The two coasted by Treajh Ferguson and Justin Roberts 6-0, 6-1, giving the United States a sweep over the Bahamas. The United States will face Mexico in the final day of competition to determine if they will have a place at the World Final.
Following in the boys footsteps, the U.S. girl’s team in World Junior Team competition swept Canada. Gabrielle Andrews started things off for the ladies. In a hard-fought match against Iana Nikolaeva, Andrews saw herself fighting from behind in the first set. The 13-year old Andrews was able to find her groove and take the first set 6-3 and cruise by Nikolaeva in the second 6-1. Her teammate Brooke Austin, faced stiffer competition from Francoise Abanda. The two girls rallied back-and-forth in the first set before Austin was able to close it out, 6-4. Abanda challenged the Indianapolis native in the second set, forcing a tie breaker and finally succumbing 7-6 (3) in the second set. Andrews returned to join forces with 13-year old Christina Makarova. The twosome skated by Abanda and Gloria Liang, 6-0 in the first. The San Diego native and Andrews stumbled in the second, but held off the Canadians 6-4. The U.S. girl’s team will close out their three days of competition against Mexico hoping to clinch a spot in the World Final to be held in the Czech Republic, August 2-7.
The Junior Davis Cup had a smooth day against Panama. John Harrison Richmond took to the court first for the Americans facing Panama’s Walner Espinoza. Espinoza was a formidable opponent, but the South Carolina native’s power was too much. Richmond’s overall game was solid and he won in consecutive sets 6-3, 6-3. Texan, Mitchell Krueger, had a pretty easy day when he faced Luis Fernando Garcia 6-0, 6-1. The 16-year old immediately returned to team up with California’s Alexios Halebian to defeat Walner Espinoza and Luis Fernando Garcia 6-1, 6-1. The team will face Mexico tomorrow, but unfortunately, will not advance to the World Final. Canada will have the honor.
ITF Junior Team Regional Championships
USTA Training Center Headquarters at the Evert Tennis Academy
Boca Raton, Fla., April 30 – May 2, 2010
Day Two Scores, Saturday, May 1st
Junior Davis Cup by BNP Paribas
United States def. Panama, 3-0
Canada def. Mexico, 2-1
Junior Fed Cup by BNP Paribas
United States def. Canada, 2-1
Mexico def. Bahamas, 3-0
World Junior Team Competition – Boys
United States def. Bahamas, 3-0
Mexico def. Canada, 2-1
World Junior Team Competition – Girls
Mexico def. Puerto Rico, 2-1
United States def. Canada, 3-0