This week's highest grade event is in Israel - the girls draw being particularly weak, thus causing Emily Smith to be seeded. Both she and Mason Recci have friendly draws against home players, but Mason may have to face the top seed in round 2.
Both came through matches which were slightly more competitive than I anticipated. All 8 seeds won in the girls event, though next up for Emily is her doubles partner (the pair are through to the semis) who reached a G2 semi recently. Mason does have to tackle the top seed, who won a G2 recently, defeating Julian Cash en route.
Boys R1 (L32)
Mason Recci (GBR) d. (WC) Daniel Dudockin (ISR) 6-7(2) 6-3 6-2
R2
(1) Martin Blasko (SVK) v Mason Recci (GBR)
Girls R1 (L32)
(8) Emily Smith (GBR) d. Avital Vulf (ISR) 7-5 6-3
Emily overcomes her doubles partner to earn good points, though the pair lost their doubles semi. All 8 seeds made the quarters, and Emily is now up against the top ranked under 14 in Europe in last year.
Boys R2
(1) Martin Blasko (SVK) d. Mason Recci (GBR) 6-2 6-3
Girls R2
(8) Emily Smith (GBR) d. Nikolina Jovic (SRB) 6-4 6-4
Splendid win by Emily to earn her first G2 semi, adding to a very good week for our '97 girls. To reach the final she will need to overcome another '98 girl who is rising fast
QF
(8) Emily Smith (GBR) d. (3) Olga Fridman (UKR) 7-6(3) 7-6(1)
A stunning tournament for Emily, who storms into the top 200 with her first final above G4. The top seeded Lithuanian Fed Cup player stands in the way of the title - someone who has won one G2 this year.
SF
(8) Emily Smith (GBR) d. (2) Fanny Stollar (HUN) 6-4 6-2
F
(1) Justina Mikulskyte (LTU) v (8) Emily Smith (GBR)
