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Post by janie on Nov 30, 2006 21:42:44 GMT -5
It's kind of bizarre the way they put the "Q"s and "WC"s between the players' first and last names.
Speaking of which, I'm sorry to report that a Brinyi fave Carling (WC) Seguso (okay, maybe it's her MOM who's a Brinyi-fave) lost today in the Girls 16s.
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Post by janie on Nov 30, 2006 21:54:12 GMT -5
Let us pause to pay tribute to the man himself: meet EDDIE HERR (1907-2000; not a bad run!), the Father of International Junior Tennis.
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Post by janie on Nov 30, 2006 21:55:09 GMT -5
Oh, I didn't know the caption was coming along for the ride! Oh well, it's certainly worth saying twice.
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Post by janie on Dec 1, 2006 8:27:57 GMT -5
Aiming for bigger prizeAfter winning Girls 16s last year, 13-year-old takes step up RYAN T. BOYD Herald Staff Writer . BRADENTON - She could be heard grunting from a few tennis courts away. That's the way Michelle Larcher de Brito says she gains her strength and rhythm throughout the course of a tennis match. "When I don't grunt it's usually when I play the worse," said the 13-year-old from Portugal. "My friends and coach tell me that's when I play my best tennis." Larcher de Brito needed every bit of "umph" she had in her to get past Jade Curtis 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-2 on Wednesday in the second round of the Girls 18s Division of the Eddie Herr International at IMG Academies. After falling behind early, Larcher de Brito gathered herself to outplay the 16-year-old Curtis the rest of the way. Curtis' strong serve and ability to hit good ground stokes gave Larcher de Brito problems in the beginning. "I saw her play in other matches, and I knew it wouldn't be easy," said Larcher de Brito, who trains at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy. "I just tried to stay calm and go for good shots." After winning the Girls 16s Division of the Eddie Herr last year, Larcher de Brito decided to jump to a higher age bracket this year. With the leap came nervousness about competing against bigger, stronger opponents - something she showed during her match Wednesday. "I think she was a little tight," said Larcher de Brito's father, Antonio. "This is where you start learning to deal with pressure, and this is important for her later. I had the confidence that she would pull it out." Larcher de Brito will take on Jasmina Tinjic of Croatia today in the round of 16. The match is scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m. Last month, Larcher de Brito won the Girls 18s Division of the Jerry Simmons in South Carolina, and Curtis knew if she made too many mistakes she wouldn't be victorious. Her mistakes mounted. "I didn't acquire enough depth, and she was always getting me cross-court on the forehand," said Curtis, who is from Plymouth, Great Britain, and trains in Boca Raton , "and then able to penetrate down the line because my shots weren't deep enough. If I had been more aggressive on my forehand then maybe (the outcome) would have changed." Staying confident in her abilities is what Larcher de Brito credits with getting her into the round of 16. "I don't give up," she said. "I don't worry about the points or the outcome, I just try to stay positive." It also doesn't hurt to add a little "umph" to the equation. "Grunting is part of my rhythm," Larcher de Brito said.
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Post by Brinyi on Dec 1, 2006 9:51:46 GMT -5
It's kind of bizarre the way they put the "Q"s and "WC"s between the players' first and last names. Speaking of which, I'm sorry to report that a Brinyi fave Carling (WC) Seguso (okay, maybe it's her MOM who's a Brinyi-fave) lost today in the Girls 16s. She's not a fave, I just bold her because I find her presence intriguing. I note that Holden Seguso looks to be a bust tennis-wise -- haven't seen much from him lately.
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Post by janie on Dec 1, 2006 12:04:28 GMT -5
Maybe Holden will become a pole-vaulter.
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Post by janie on Dec 1, 2006 12:06:47 GMT -5
Boys 18s first QF: Philip (WC) Bester d. (9) Roberto Maytin 6-4;6-2 Now here's a guy who knows how to take advantage of a wild card.
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Post by janie on Dec 1, 2006 12:08:47 GMT -5
Bester pic: he's got a 1-handed BH?? Anyway, I hope posting this won't jinx him.
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Post by janie on Dec 1, 2006 16:38:21 GMT -5
Boys' 18 qfs:Philip (WC) Bester d. (9) Roberto Maytin 6-4;6-2 (4) Pavel Chekhov d. Radu Albot 6-1;6-7(9);6-0 Rasid Winklaar d. Jeff (Q) Dadamo 3-6;6-4;6-3 (1) Nicolas Santos d. (5) Roman Jebavy 6-4;6-2 Girls' 18 qfs: (2) Sorana-Mihaela Cirstea d. Michelle (WC) Larcher de Brito 4-6;6-2;7-5 Tamaryn Hendler d. (13) Kimberly Couts 6-2;6-2 (4) Urszula Radwanska d. (6) Nikola Hofmanova 6-2;6-0 (8) Anastasia Pivovarova d. (14) Katerina Kramperova 4-6;6-2;6-3
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Post by Brinyi on Dec 1, 2006 17:51:41 GMT -5
(2) Sorana-Mihaela Cirstea d. Michelle (WC) Larcher de Brito 4-6;6-2;7-5
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Post by janie on Dec 1, 2006 19:45:58 GMT -5
Okay, so de Brito's another screamer from Bollettieri's. I still have to root for her because Portugal needs a player!
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Post by Brinyi on Dec 1, 2006 22:33:27 GMT -5
Okay, so de Brito's another screamer from Bollettieri's. I still have to root for her because Portugal needs a player! Not at any price. ;D
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Post by janie on Dec 2, 2006 20:35:29 GMT -5
18s tournaments are ending just as they should: SFs: (2) Sorana-Mihaela Cirstea d. Tamaryn Hendler 6-4;7-5 (4) Urszula Radwanska d. (8) Anastasia Pivovarova 6-1;6-2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Philip (WC) Bester d. (4) Pavel Chekhov 6-3;2-6;6-4 (1) Nicolas Santos d. Rasid Winklaar 3-6;6-2;6-2
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Post by corswandt on Dec 2, 2006 20:58:57 GMT -5
maybe her family is overly nationalistic or something. Still smarting from that exchange, are we? Maybe you need to do something patriotic do raise your own spirits. Like working on a Serbian version for this song? www.btinternet.com/~brentours/ENGT16.htmAnyway, maybe there would be some grounds for your attempt at a dig if I had used a word like "sadly" or "unfortunately" when addressing Michelle's likely change of nationality. But I didn't, because I think this is the kind of decision that must be taken bearing in mind only what is better for her future career.
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Post by Edna Krabappel on Dec 2, 2006 21:33:02 GMT -5
maybe her family is overly nationalistic or something. Still smarting from that exchange, are we? Maybe you need to do something patriotic do raise your own spirits. Like working on a Serbian version for this song? www.btinternet.com/~brentours/ENGT16.htmAnyway, maybe there would be some grounds for your attempt at a dig if I had used a word like "sadly" or "unfortunately" when addressing Michelle's likely change of nationality. But I didn't, because I think this is the kind of decision that must be taken bearing in mind only what is better for her future career. What? I was thinking about the Dokics and all the cheesy patriotic crap they were saying when they came back from Australia in 2000. And actually I'm not nationalistic at all. I still think I'm right about the discussion we had, though.
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Post by janie on Dec 3, 2006 8:37:30 GMT -5
Notes from Eddie Herrville:
'Dana Bester still views her son, Philip, 18, as her baby. "He just passed his driving test," Dana said Tuesday night. "He is my only child." '
Thankfully, she's NOT coaching her baby.
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Post by janie on Dec 3, 2006 12:58:14 GMT -5
Congrats to the 2006 Eddie Herr Champion: it's jolly old Saint Nick! (1) Nicolas Santos d. Philip (WC) Bester 62 64
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Post by janie on Dec 3, 2006 13:04:45 GMT -5
And janie's (admittedly not very daring) pick Radwanska II killed Cirstea in the girls' final, 63 61
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Post by janie on Dec 3, 2006 13:07:46 GMT -5
Photo of Nick with his Eddie Herr champion's prizes:
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Post by Brinyi on Dec 4, 2006 10:08:18 GMT -5
Herr crowns champs Santos' victory in Boys 18s singles caps tournament MIKE HENRY Herald Staff Writer BRADENTON - Lusty cheers echoed through IMG Academies whenever Philip Bester blasted a winner against No. 1 seed Nicolas Santos of Sao Paulo, Brazil, in Sunday's Boys 18s singles final of the Eddie Herr International Junior Tennis Championships. But except for scattered shouts of encouragement from his own backers, Santos ignored the crowd, intent on defusing Bester's powerful serve and sizzling ground strokes. "His mind was very focused," coach Luiz Faria said after Santos' 6-2, 6-4 victory that won over most of the audience by the finish. "All the matches were very difficult, and to win the championship here in his last year as a junior is very good." Santos speaks little English, but his tenacity and endurance came through loud and clear against Bester, a long-time Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy student playing his final junior event. "I give a lot of credit to Nicolas. He really made me play my best," said Bester, who pulled a calf muscle in his semifinal victory Saturday. Bester made the decision to push harder in the second set, but Santos was up to every challenge, utilizing a strong two-handed backhand and tireless baseline game. "I told myself in the second set it was the last match of my junior career, and I was going to stay out there and fight it out," Bester said. "But he made me move a lot and play every ball. Basically, he didn't miss any shots." The victory by Santos, who turns 19 next month, was the centerpiece of a glorious day of tennis that included an upset in the Girls 18s final by Poland's Urszula Radwanska, younger sister of Women's Tennis Association teenage sensation Agnieszka; two repeat champions; and a victory by NBTA student Yasutaka Uchiyama of Japan in the Boys 14s. "I want to be like my sister, top 100 in the world," said 15-year-old Radwanska, who defeated No. 2 seed Sorana Cirstea 6-3, 6-1. "But I want to do it my way. I played so good the whole week." In the Girls 14s final, No. 3 seed Hanna Orlik of Belarus repeated her 2005 Girls 12s victory against Ajla Tomljanovic of Croatia, this time with a 6-4, 6-1 decision. Also returning to the winner's circle was last year's Boys 14s champ, Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria. The No. 2 seed in Boys 16s beat NBTA student Devin Britton 6-2, 6-1. "Last year was my first time in the United States, and I was a little scared because I didn't know what to expect," Dimitrov said. "To come back and win for the second time, it's amazing." Bulgaria was 2 for 2 in singles finals Sunday. In Girls 16s, No. 1 seed Tanya Raykova outlasted Yasmin Clarke of Great Britain, 6-2, 2-6, 6-1. Uchiyama, who attends Bradenton Prep, has come a long way since losing in the fourth round last year. "He has good talent, but last year he had no confidence and wouldn't fight," said his coach, Natsuo Yamanaka. "This year, he kept his fight." In the Boys 18s doubles final, Mateusz Kecki of Sacramento teamed with Bassam Beidas of Lebanon for a 6-3, 7-5 victory against Dennis Lajola and Roberto Maytin. Anastasia Pivovarova and Katerina Vankova won the Girls 18s doubles, defeating Maria Mokh and Ksenia Pervak 6-0, 6-7 (4), 6-4. Emmett Egger and Grace Min won the mixed doubles 14s. Jason Zafiros of Bradenton teamed with Matt Reid of Australia on Saturday to win the Boys 16s doubles by default.
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Post by janie on Dec 4, 2006 11:27:47 GMT -5
Bester's a Bollettieri kid, then? Poor old Rudy Tomijanovic. Still can't get a good gig, even in the Girls 14s.
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Post by Brinyi on Dec 4, 2006 12:56:35 GMT -5
Photo of Nick with his Eddie Herr champion's prizes: Ha! This is the real Nicolas Santos.
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Post by janie on Dec 4, 2006 14:22:01 GMT -5
I had totally forgotten he's Brazilian! (no I didn't figure it out from the pic, I had to google him)
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Post by Brinyi on Dec 4, 2006 14:38:23 GMT -5
You could have also read the first paragraph of the article I posted, but I know you don't read my posts.
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Post by Brinyi on Dec 4, 2006 14:43:56 GMT -5
Orange Bowl Preview
The last Grade A event of the year gets underway on Monday as the Tennis Center at Crandon Park hosts the 60th edition of the Orange Bowl. Many of the game’s current stars are past Orange Bowl champions, including Roger Federer, Andy Roddick and Elena Dementieva, and some of the best junior players in the world will be hoping to add their names to that illustrious winners’ list.
The girls’ event looks particularly strong this year, with world number three Little Ayumi Morita (JPN) and number four Ksenia Milevskaya (BLR) heading the seedings. Milevskaya has won five Grade 1 tournaments this year and led her country to the Junior Fed Cup title two months ago, while Morita has won eleven of her last twelve matches on the ITF junior circuit.
Leading the American challenge will be Hopeless Julia Cohen, ranked ninth in the world and winner of the Grade A Casablanca Cup at the beginning of the year. Cohen will be playing the Orange Bowl for the fifth time and will be hopeful of improving on her best showing, a third-round finish last year. Others in contention for the title include Canadian Sharon Fichman, the world number eight, and Katerina Vankova (CZE), who won the Grade 1 Gerdau Cup earlier in the year and defeated both Milevskaya and Fichman on her way to the US Open semis.
On the boys’ side, Brazil’s Nicolas Santos, ranked five in the world, heads the field. Santos has already won four tournaments in 2006 and is equally at home on hard courts and clay. He will be aiming to end his junior career with a first Grade A title, after finishing runner-up at the Casablanca Cup at the start of the year.
The main challenger to Santos could be Donald Young, who has had a disappointing year by his (or any other) standards with his lone title of 2006 coming at the Easter Bowl US Closed Championships. The reigning ITF Junior World Champion will be hoping to end his season on a high note at the tournament where he reached his first major final in 2004.
Another American in contention for the title is Kellen Damico, at number eight the highest ranked American in the world. Damico’s best results have come in doubles, where he won Wimbledon and made the Australian Open final this year, but he has been a singles finalist in two Grade 1 tournaments in 2006 and should be tough to beat.
Petru-Alexandru Luncanu, the world number nine, has not won an ITF junior circuit tournament since last December’s Yucatan Cup, where he decided the race for the year-end number one spot by defeating Marin Cilic and Donald Young back-to-back. However, the Romanian has been a semi-finalist at two Grade A events in 2006 and is definitely capable of a strong showing here. Another potential winner could be Russia’s Pavel Chekhov, who reached the quarter finals or better at three of the four Grand Slams in 2006.
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Post by janie on Dec 4, 2006 15:06:26 GMT -5
You could have also read the first paragraph of the article I posted, but I know you don't read my posts. I read your posts! You're mixing me up with my identical cousin Patty, who never does read them. But somehow my eyes skipped over that ONE WORD at the top!
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Post by janie on Dec 4, 2006 15:11:08 GMT -5
I hope Donald Young ends his season on a low note. Reality bites, Donnie! Wake up and smell the generic-brand coffee!
But poor Julia. I hope she finally can reach the quarters this time. I like to root for her now. I hope she has snagged a good college scholarship somewhere.
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Post by Brinyi on Dec 4, 2006 23:03:09 GMT -5
I think Julia will turn pro so she can keep those trips to Paraguay and Mexico happening.
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Post by Brinyi on Dec 4, 2006 23:15:09 GMT -5
BUCKO, Attila (SCG) will not qualify as he lost in Q2r to PIRO, Stephane (FRA) 2.
6-4 6-4 LARCHER DE BRITO, Michelle (POR) 1 has qualified.
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Post by Brinyi on Dec 4, 2006 23:19:01 GMT -5
Girl's 18 number one seed, Little Ayumi did not have time to adjust to the heat or the courts at Crandon Park before, Kai Chen Chang took her to task by bouncing her out of the 2006 Orange Bowl, in an impressive two set win, 6-2; 7-6(3). The 47th junior ranked Chinese player was relentless, with her hard hitting groundstrokes that found the corners, forcing her opponent to run the full width of the court. Not an easy task for the player from Japan, who hits with two hands on both sides.
"I impressed myself that I could beat her," said Kai Chen, who reached the second round last week at the Eddie Herr Championships. "I have lost to her four times already, and this is the first time I won, but I get used to how she plays, so I know how to play her this time."
...
Meantime, Donald Young (2) , is here to have stab at another Orange Bowl title. His first round went well today, defeating Dragos Mirtea, 6-3; 6-2, in front of an interested spectator; number one seed, Nicolas Santos, who seemed to be enjoying the match.
...
Also noteworthy: Sharon Fichman (3) CAN def. Chloe Jones USA, 63 63
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