22 September 2017 | Tennis ACT

ACT players are set to compete against players from across the globe as the Canberra Junior International gets under way today at the Canberra Tennis Centre.  Twelve nations are represented at the ITF Grade 5 event which offers world junior ranking points.

In the Boys event, Australians Stefan Storch (VIC) and Will Hann (WA) ranked 533 and 676 respectively in the world junior rankings will enter as the players to beat.  The international contingent will be led by Saranpahon Siriwanichkul (THA), Qian Sun (CHN) and Ethan Kai Xin Lye (SGP).  Lye will be full of confidence after making it through to the final of the NSW Junior International in Sydney this week.

ACT’s Jamieson Nathan and Zac Donaldson will be looking to make an impact in the main draw.  Nathan, has been in great form on his home courts, taking out back to back Australian Money Tournaments in Canberra this year.  Fellow ACT players Jack Tallarida Lyons and Jimmy Fu will commence their campaigns in qualifying today.

In the Girls event, Patricia Apisah (PNG) will lead the draw currently ranked 232 in the world junior rankings.  New Zealand’s Oleksandra Kalachova is the second seed, while Zara Brankovic (NSW) is the top ranked Australian at 545 and has made it through to the final of the NSW Junior International this week.   Currently ranked 788 in the ITF world junior rankings, Annerly Poulos (ACT) will lead the local hopes.  Poulos is the defending girls champion, winning the 18 and under event in 2016.  Ashleigh Simes (ACT) and Matina Ujdur (ACT) will be looking to join Poulos in the main draw, as they play in qualifying today.

Canberra Junior International Tournament Director Lenka Greenhalgh is thrilled with the quality of the draw.  “Players have travelled from as far as Great Britain and USA to compete here in Canberra.  There is sure to be quality tennis on display as we are set to watch the future generation of tennis stars.

“It is great to be able to provide our ACT juniors the opportunity to compete against some of the best international player’s right here in Canberra,” Greenhalgh added.

Qualifying commences today and continues tomorrow, with main draw set to start on Sunday.  Finals will be played on Thursday 28 September.

The Canberra Junior International kick starts an action packed two weeks for the Canberra Tennis Centre which will also host the 12/u & 14/u Australian Claycourt Championships (29 September – 4 October), the inaugural Canberra Wheelchair Tennis Open (29 September – 1 October) and the Tennis World Canberra Junior Open (5-8 October).

Full draw