Sebastian Lavie lost 2-6 6-0 6-2 to Josh Nelson from Australia in the quarter-finals of the Sunsmart Canterbury ITF 18u Champs in Christchurch yesterday. Not one seeded player has advanced to the last four of the Boy’s Singles. Scott Winnard is through to the semis of the doubles and Nick Lowery is also through to the same stage partnered by Jordan Kelly-Houston.
Sebastian Lavie knocked out 5th seed Hiroyasu Ehara and followed up with a three set win over Finn Tearney to make the quarter-finals of the Sunsmart Canterbury ITF 18u Champs. Lavie plays James Nelson for a semi-final berth.
Paris based Sebastian Lavie lost in the final of the Auckland 18 and Under Summer Championships – ITF Grade 4 tournament played at Vodafone Tennis Park. Lavie was a wildcard entry into the tournament and made the most of his opportunity by winning through to the final where he was beaten 6-1 6-0 by top seed Austen Childs. His performance in Auckland certainly makes him a player to watch in the future. The Girls Singles was won by Rachel Houhapa (Aus). Abigail Guthrie made it through to the semis before losing to Kelly Blake (Aus).
Tanya Samodelok lost in the final of the Optus 14’s Hardcourt Championships played at Gosford, NSW last month. Tanya lost to 11th seed Olivia Rich in the final.
Auckland won the Girls 12 and 16 and under age groups at the National Teams Event competitions held throughout January. The Auckland Boys 16 and under team also played their way to a victory in Christchurch. Well done to all of the Auckland players who turned out for their region.
Roland Sokcevic and Imogen Golder won the Boys and Girls Singles titles respectively at the 16’s National Hardcourt Championships in Christchurch last month. Sokcevic, seeded fifth, defeated Jordan Kelly-Houston 6-3 6-0 in the final. Golder, the number six seed, beat Tuscany Hamel 3-6 6-2 6-4.
A free open tennis day last month introduced the sport to a new group of youngsters. Radio Station Mai FM organised the event for some of its young listeners and about forty budding tennis players took part. Auckland Tennis provided racquets, balls and the use of courts at Vodafone Tennis Park. It also arranged for two coaches who ran an introductory coaching clinic.
