Kyle Edmund joins Luke Bambridge for the later stages of the COSAT circuit, and has a favourable opener, whereas Luke has a tough draw against a top 100 player who reached the final in Chile a week ago. Toby Martin and Georgina Sellyn lost in qualifying.
Boys R1 (L32)
Dante Gennaro (ARG) v Luke Bambridge (GBR) (WC) Ignacio Ettlin (URU) v (3) Kyle Edmund (GBR)
-- Edited by DavidC on Monday 28th of February 2011 06:44:18 PM
A very easy stroll for Kyle, which may not be the best preparation for his stronger second round opponent. Luke's performance in a competitive 3 setter against a successful clay-courter is considerably more encouraging than his matches in January. The pair link up in doubles.
Boys R1 (L32)
Dante Gennaro (ARG) d. Luke Bambridge (GBR) 5-7 6-4 6-2 (3) Kyle Edmund (GBR) d. (WC) Ignacio Ettlin (URU) 6-0 6-0
A good win for Kyle over a top 100 clay-courter but he now has to play a star 1996 boy, ranked 1 in Europe last year and winner of his last 26 matches in straight sets (only 1 of those 52 sets went beyond 6-4)
QF
(3) Kyle Edmund (GBR) d. (5) Benjamin Ugarte (CHI) 6-4 7-5
SF
(3) Kyle Edmund (GBR) v (Q) Gianluigi Quinzi (ITA)
That is an amazing record. But it does beg the question why he is in qualifying and not ranked higher
I don't claim to be an expert on juniors. But looking at his ITF activity, I think the answer to that is basically his limited ITF activity. The 26 matches David refers to appear to be his total 26 matches in ITF tournaments in the last year, 4 Grade 5 titles during September and October last year ( 5 matches each ), 3 qualifying and 3 main draw matches in this Grade 2. So he seems to have won every ITF singles match he has played in the last year without dropping a set. 4 grade 5 titles at 30 points apiece tie up with his 120 singles points in the ITF rankings.
This limited activity ( and level it was at ) will be what has left him ranked "just" 255 in the ITF junior rankings ( still I think the highest ITF ranked 1996 boy ), and I presume the entry list and seedings are based on ITF rankings, leaving him having to qualify here.
But his Tennis Europe record and clear number one 14 and under ranking last year and his success ( albeit at Grade 5 level ) in ITF tournaments I think show his real worth, further brought out in his getting so far and hammering the no 2 seed ( JWR 33 ) in his step up to Grade 2 here.
But we clearly have great hopes for Kyle with some justification, so should be interesting.
-- Edited by indiana on Thursday 3rd of March 2011 04:47:20 PM
Ive seen Gianluigi play a few times now and hes a real cracker, mentally strong and physically mature for a 96 which is why, along with his obvious tennis talent hes getting the results with the rankings not keeping up to speed. One other thing of note about this guy is he's a really intelligent and lively lad who speaks just about every language going, including being able to converse with the chinese players pretty efficiently. just great to see such intelligence in a young sportsman-strong family support too. I would say if he wants it, hes as good a tip as any ive seen, to go a decent way in the sport. still want kyle to win obviously but he would be my non-british favourite at most tournies.
Thanks for the insight. I can add that his last defeat in any Junior event was AFAICS against Joshua Sapwell in the European Summer Cups. However Gianluigi gained revenge in the European U14 Championships and the World Junior Team Finals.
Kyle couldn't dent Gianluigi's run of sets today, but at least gained more games than anyone else in the run. Kyle and Luke lost in the doubles quarters so it's on to Paraguay.
SF
(Q) Gianluigi Quinzi (ITA) d. (3) Kyle Edmund (GBR) 7-6(4) 6-4
But anyway, Gianliugi Quinzi ( dob 01/02/96 ) looks some prospect ( and a good character, thanks domara for the insight ), so maybe worth remembering in future that this was the week that I first really became aware of that name.
-- Edited by indiana on Saturday 5th of March 2011 03:38:54 AM
Quinzi won the final 6 - 4 6 - 2 against Uchida (JPN) JWR 99
So that's him won all 28 ITF matches he's played in the last year, all without dropping a set. With the 100 points gained, I make it that has moved him up from JWR 255 to about JWR 108.
Should help with avoiding qualifying in future
Possibly a very decent effort by Kyle in the semis, and he did give Quinzi his closest match in terms of games won in these 28.
Slightly worrying thing is that Quinzi is just over a year younger than Kyle, but for now I just hope Kyle keeps improving and getting good results himself.
-- Edited by indiana on Saturday 5th of March 2011 01:27:44 AM
