Several of Europe’s leading 14 and 16 & Under players have recorded notable results in their first events since returning to international tennis action. With the Tennis Europe Junior Tour limited to Category 2 and 3 events for the moment due to ongoing travel restrictions across the region, many of the top players have been experimenting with entry level ITF events.
At just 13 years of age, Brenda Fruhvirtova is already accustomed to breaking records, and secured another one last week when won both singles and doubles at her first ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors event, in Cairo.
Unbeaten on the Tennis Europe Junior Tour this season with Super Category titles in Stockholm and Les Petits As under her belt, this was another impressive step up for the Czech, who became the youngest player in 25 years to win an ITF singles title at J2 level or above.
Also making waves was reigning Tennis Europe Junior Masters champion Peter Nad of Slovakia, who won his first tournament post-lockdown, breezing to the ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors title in Szekesfehervar, Hungary without the loss of a set.
Mihai Alexandru Coman, the 14 & Under runner-up at last October’s Masters, also won his first ever ITF Juniors title last week. He battled past Dinko Dinev of Bulgaria 7-6(5) 6-7(1) 7-5 to win on home soil in Oradea, Romania.
Meanwhile, another of the Masters stars, Sebastianna Scilipoti (SUI) broke through on the pro circuit, reaching the final of the $15,000 ITF World Tennis Tour Women’s event in Varna, Bulgaria.
The class of 2018 has also excelled: European 16&U Champion Carlos Alcaraz Garfia of Spain beat year-end #1 Lorenzo Musetti on his way to a first ever ATP Challenger title in Trieste. The Italian has already since gone on to even greater heights, last night beating former world #3 Stan Wawrinka in straight sets at the ATP 1000 event in Rome.
Both Alcaraz and Musetti have become the first players born in their years (2003 and 2002 respectively) to win matches on the main ATP circuits.
Players to look out for this week include 14 & Under boys’ #1 Atahan Karahan of Turkey, who has scored three easy wins to qualify for his first ever ITF Junior event in Subotica, Serbia.
Follow tomorrow's stars today on the Tennis Europe Junior Tour.