The Junior Orange Bowl main draws start tomorrow. Holly Fischer is seeded 2 behind her ITF rival Noa Krznaric in the under 14s, while Kylie Bilchev and Emma Raducanu are seeded to meet in the last 16 (unlike Junior ITF events players from the same country are not put in separate sections of the draw).
Under 14 R1 (L128)
(7) Emma Raducanu v Daria Tomashevskaya (CAN)
(9) Kylie Bilchev v Malaika Rapolu (USA)
(Q/LL) v (2) Holly Fischer
Under 12 R1 (L128)
(Q) v Shanice Weekes
Antonia Vergara (CHI) v Saskia Hunter-Thielemann
-- Edited by DavidC on Tuesday 13th of December 2016 08:52:18 PM
Think Shanice is another player from Hackney City Tennis initiative, where Lauryn JB started out before she got a scholarship to West Hants Club and Talbot Heath School
It was interesting to see there don't seem to be that many bread sticks and bagels being handed out indeed the number 1 seed in the Girls U14 Noa Krzniac got taken to 3 sets in her first round match. She is just on the cusp of the top 300 JITF and pretty dominant in her last 3 grade 4's but not making much headway yet having stepped up to grade 1 and A. In her last grade 5 in August she beat Maria Budden in the final.
Although there weren't many bakery products Holly handed out 2 of them in round 2. If Emma and Kylie win their round 3 matches they play each other.
R2
(7) Emma Raducanu d. Yashna Yellayi (USA) 6-3 6-4
(9) Kylie Bilchev d. Camila Soares (PER) 6-3 7-5
(2) Holly Fischer d. Maria Cecilia Pri Aguiar (USA) 6-1 6-0
R3
(7) Emma Raducanu v Neha Valaga (USA)
(9) Kylie Bilchev v Lauren Anzalotta (USA)
Erika Matsuda (JPN) v (2) Holly Fischer
I am right in thinking that Holly and Kylie have another year in the under 14's and Emma is a year older in tennis terms?
In theory yes in that Holly and Kyle were born in 2003, 20/03 and 24/02 respectively, and Emma was born 13/11/02.
But I wouldn't expect Holly in particular to be near the under 14 competition next year in the same way that most leading 2002s are not involved this year but play higher ages.
Emma won the all-British battle for the second successive tournament, and like the Eddie Herr she next plays a Canadian (who Emma beat in 3 sets last time). Holly progressed smoothly.
R4
(7) Emma Raducanu d. (9) Kylie Bilchev 6-2 6-4
(2) Holly Fischer d. Lisa Pigato (ITA) 6-4 6-3
QF
Natasha Sengphrachanh (CAN) v (7) Emma Raducanu
Jada Bui (CAN) v (2) Holly Fischer
It is great to have three such talented players in the same age group. Very early days for all 3, I just hope they are all able to stay fit and get the chance to fulfil their talent. I don't think one will get a true idea of their capabilities until they have finished their education.
Next year will be their first year of studying for GSCEs so academically they are all in the same boat, in the short term how they and their families choose to sail it may impact rankings purely because of the number of tournaments they commit to if it hasnt already.
Hypothetically Emily Arbuthnot possibly could have made a dent in the junior top 10 if she had upped and off to Florida or Spain at 14 rather than stay in conventional schooling, play a bit of Lacrosse and remain fully committed to education into her 20's. She could still potentially follow the likes of Nicole Gibbs on to a WTA career.
Interestingly I now see Nicole and Hev as direct rivals and feel that perhaps while Hev was a very successful junior Nicole was keeping her powder dry knocking out some decent SATS scores.
-- Edited by Oakland2002 on Saturday 17th of December 2016 11:29:26 PM