Four years ago in the equivalent tournament Emma Raducanu became the youngest ever player to win an ITF. Leading under 14 Ranah Akua Stoiber is likely to be the highest seeded Brit here, with the girls' event starting on Wednesday (boys start Tuesday)
I think they are delaying the start as they are playing Tennis Europe U14 comp the same week and there is no qualifying. Presumably to allow the older and better U14's a chance in the ITF comp.
I will be down Friday and possibly Sunday and Monday.
Some good singles winners in the past - Jodie Burrage was another champion.
Draw is now out, confirming Ranah as second seed and Millie Skelton (another 2005) as a wildcard, while 2006 born Sophya Devas plays only her second ITF
Nice to see so many 2005-born players in the MD (and Sophya too, born 2006, as above).
Some interesting names there.
As well as the two players David mentioned, it'll be interesting to see the results of Ella McDonald and Norah Khediri and Jaquelyn Ogunwale.
And several good 2004 players too.
Just what it should be for a home J5 event.
Francesca Andrea FEODOROV (ROU) [1] 6-2 6-2 Tabitha HOLMES (GBR)
Jaquelyn OGUNWALE (GBR) [7] 7-6(5) 6-1 Sarah TATU (GBR)
Given ROACH (GBR) 6-1 7-6(1) Millie SKELTON (GBR)
Zuzanna SZCZEPANSKA (POL) [8] 7-5 6-2 Rhona COOK (GBR)
Kristina PASKAUSKAS (GBR) [5] 6-0 6-4 Isabel PASCUAL MONTALVO (ESP)
Ella MCDONALD (GBR) 6-3 6-3 Millie Mae MATTHEWS (GBR)
Sofia JOHNSON (GBR) 7-5 6-0 Beatris SPASOVA (BUL)
Sophya DEVAS (GBR) 6-3 6-2 Maria Sara POPA (ROU)
QF
(1) Francesca Andrea Feodorov (ROU) v (7) Jaquelyn Ogunwale
Given Roach v (8) Zuzanna Szczepanska (POL)
(5) Kristina Paskauskas v Ella McDonald
Sofia Johnson v (WC) Sophya Devas
I'm down tomorrow.
Interested to see the TE final featuring the talented Mingge Xu, who I believe is still 12.
There are a lot of good young players to watch, but expect Kristina P to be dominant, given she won a national title.
Mimi Xu won easily. Very consistent and tall and powerful for her age. Will not look out of place in an ITF junior comp. Elsewhere wins for Given, Kristina P and Sophya D
-- Edited by paulisi on Friday 15th of November 2019 01:54:45 PM
Impressed with Ella McDonald, she has a very nice game, pushed Kristina.
The player that impressed me the most was Given Roach who is a new name to me and has a big strong game, with excellent defence.
Ella is at the new elite LTA tennis academy at Stirling, along with Millie Skelton who was here too. (And with Hephzibah).
She's had a few people talking.
Given is at the new elite academy at Loughborough, with Eva, Ranah, young Sophya Devas (and Kylie).
Yes, a very athletic girl, strong, good tennis.
Indeed, the two new academies did very well, an excellent showing, especially amongst the girls (although that's partly because, as reported, a lot of boys boycotted the new academies, although I'm still not exactly sure why.....)