The Year's First Champions
The finals at the USTA Winter Nationals concluded today in Arizona, with gold and silver balls awarded in all four age groups.
In the boys 12s, No. 2 seed Christian Garay, who was runner-up to Spencer Papa in the Little Rock Nationals last August, claimed the title with a 3-6, 6-2, 7-6(4) win over No. 1 seed Toshiki Matsuya, The girls 12s final saw No. 4 seed Kimberly Yee defeat No. 2 seed Christina Makarova.
The boys 14s champion is Trey Daniel. In one of the few one-sided matches of the day, Daniel, seeded seventh, downed No. 1 seed Terrell Celestine 6-0, 6-1. No. 17 seed Coy Jones Hunter beat No. 8 Julia Elbaba 1-6, 6-3, 7-5 for the girls 14s title.
Kyle McPhillips, who at No. 25, was the lowest seed to garner a gold ball, outlasted top seed and girls 16s national champion Lauren Davis 6-2, 5-7, 6-3. Jack Sock, the top seed in the boys 16s, added to his vast gold ball collection by beating No. 2 seed Shane Vinsant 6-1, 6-4.
Hanna Mar, the top seed in the girls 18s, got past No. 11 Kate Fuller 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, and No. 2 seed JT Sundling won the boys 18s, defeating No. 7 Connor Smith by the unusual score of 1-6, 6-0, 7-6(0). An eyewitness report from 10isdad mentions that Sundling was down 5-0 in that final set. He also supplied this link to a photobucket album of shots he took at some of today's boys matches.
For complete results, including the doubles and consolation finals, click here for the 16s and 18s, and here for the 12s and 14s.
Happy New Year to everyone! I hope you have every opportunity to pursue your dreams in 2009.
8 comments:
Can someone please explain to me why sock played boy16's in Arizona? He has already proven that he can win a 16's super national. Why not challenge himself in the 18's? He did this in the 12's and to me it just seems like he is gold ball hungry. Just my 0.02
Because in 40-50yrs when hes sitting on the porch telling his grandkids about how he used to play tennis he can pull out all his trophys to show them instead of telling a story how he "would have won" had he played in his age group but instead made the quarterfinals of the higher age group. Thats why.
great post Austin. Unless you are Jennifer Capriati, it is prudent to play in your own age groups in the larger events. In regional, and smaller events, of course, play up if you wish.
yes for most cases i would agree with you but we have a special case on our hands. jack sock has won 14!!! gold balls and 3 bronze balls. I think he will have some memorable moments to share when he is older. It just seems to me that he only stays in his comfort zone. I believe that he needs to challenge himself more to improve his game. Just look at how he did when he played the big boys this year. Loss to bo seal 4,1 at tulsa and won one match at the orange bowl 16's.
Where were all of the top ranked boy 14's players? It would appear the top players skipped this tournament yet again. Does anybody have a clue why the top players don't want to play Winter Nationals? Is it because they are playing up or elect to take a break after a grueling grind from playing Eddie Herr and Junior Orange Bowl.
I think that it is a combination of a couple things eeyore. First like you mentioned kids are worn out after the grind of playing eddie herr and junior orange bowl. Secondly its a couple days after the holidays and the Arizona weather can sometimes be brutal. In the morning it can get as low as 30 degrees for the 8am matches.
Yep, it was 30 degrees for the 8 am matches in Scottsdale...frost on the grass...and they had to wait for the ice on the courts melt prior to play!! My poor kid from sunny California didn't have a chance...he couldn't even feel his fingers...despite hand warmers..LOL
One good thing for the Girl's 18's Winter Nationals, was that the secondary site, Monte Vista, had some senior citizens who were helping out. They had treats and hot tea for the parents on those very cold mornings. Very nice!
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