Sacha Jones lost 6-2 7-6 to Biffy Kaufman (USA) in the first round of the ITF Women’s Circuit tournament in Taupo.  Sacha led 3 – 1 in the second set but the America fought back to win the tie-breaker 7-5.

Abigail Guthrie won the 16 and under National Hardcourt Championships in Christchurch with a comfortable 6-2 6-3 victory over Amelia Harris in the final.

Sacha Jones lost 6-3 6-1 to third seed Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) in the second round of the Australian Open Junior Championships in Melbourne.  Sacha served 11 double faults and committed 41 unforced errors against her steadier basline opponent.  Even though Sacha struck four times as many winners as Cibulkova, it was not enough to close the gap and even out the contest.

Sacha Jones moved through to the second round of the Australian Open Junior Championships after a 3-6 6-3 6-2 victory over Dilyana Saidkhodjayeva (UZB).  Jones reduced her unforced error count and mixed her game up well to turn the match in her favour after losing the opening set.  Sacha strikes third seed Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) in the second round today.

The Auckland 16 and under girls team proved too strong for Waikato in the final of the National 16’s teams event in Christchurch yesterday.  Abigail Guthrie and Sarah Henderson posted singles victories to level the tie at two all before Auckland went on to wrap up the encounter by winning both of the doubles matches for a 4 – 2 result.  The title comes a week after the Auckland girls team won the 14’s title.  In the boys section, Auckland were narrowly beaten by Souther in a play-ff for third.

Auckland players have claimed both the boys and girls singles titles at the 14 & Under National Hardcourt Championships completed earlier today at Vodafone Tennis Park.  With play disrupted by rain for the first time all week, the finals were completed indoors.  11 year old Tanya Samodelok claimed the girls title with a convincing 6-1 6-4 win over North Harbour and New Zealand representative, Briar Preston.  Sean Berman had a tougher encounter in his final against Canterbury’s Barrett Franks eventually winning the match 2-6 6-1 6-3.  More Aucklanders will be in action at National events next week as the 16’s National Teams Event and National Hardcourts get underway in Christchurch.

Aucklanders Sean Berman and Tanya Samodelok have both reached the singles finals of the National 14 & Under Hardcourt Championships being held at Vodafone Tennis Park this week.  Earlier today Berman defeated third seeded Ben McLachlan from Southland in the semi-finals.  After a slow start, Berman took control of the match with 3-6 6-1 6-1 win.  In the other semi-final, second seeded Barrett Franks was too strong for fourth seeded Aucklander, Adam Lee, winning their match 6-4 6-3.  Berman and Franks will face off in the final tomorrow morning starting at 9.00am.  In the girls semi-finals, North Harbour’s Briar Preston had a comfortable win over surprise semi-finalist Imogen Golder from Auckland, while Tanya Samodelok showed more of her fighting determination with a 6-3 6-3 win over Mikaela Davies of North Harbour.  The girls final will also get underway at 9.00am tomorrow morning, Thursday 19th January at Vodafone Tennis Park.