TENNIS – VERONIKA Navratilova secured a sensational title double yesterday in the J30 Manama International Tennis Federation (ITF) championship, which came to a close at the Bahrain Tennis Federation (BTF) courts in Isa Town.
The tournament was part of the ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors 2025 calendar.
Veronika claimed both the girls’ singles and doubles titles to wrap up a fantastic week in the kingdom.
She first came away with her singles crown after defeating doubles partner Milana Kolesova of Russia in a tight three-setter. Sixth-seeded Veronika took the opening set but was then swept in the second by seventh-seeded Milana, extending the match to a decisive frame.
There, Veronika did just enough to seal her triumph, closing out the match with a 7-5, 0-6, 7-5 score line.
Following their singles title clash, the pair were not done for the day. They had a short rest and then returned to the hardcourt, teaming up to face off with the Russian tandem of Katsiaryna Dubik and Daria Podlipskaya for the girls’ doubles title.
Veronika and Milana lived up to their top-seeding against their third-seeded rivals, ending the contest in two sets 6-4, 6-2 for the girls’ doubles crown.
On the distaff, Emre Atlamis of Turkiye capped a dream run in Bahrain last week by taking the boys’ singles championship trophy.
Meanwhile, the duo of Muaz Malik from the US and Kaushik Arunkumar of India won the boys’ doubles.
Emre won his singles final against Sergi Ramis Coll of Spain 6-2, 6-3. It was a fitting ending for Emre in what was an impressive showing in the tournament. He kicked off his bid by toppling the top seed in round one, and then overcame two other seeded players en route to taking the boys’ singles decider.
For Muaz and Kaushik, they were the boys’ double fourth seeds and they outplayed the third-seeded Jordanian pairing of Amir Jaber and Talal Shatara 6-2, 6-3.
Following all of yesterday’s matches, the winners and runners-up of each category were awarded their respective trophies and medals. Among those on hand for the prize presentation were BTF president Shaikh Abdulaziz bin Mubarak Al Khalifa and BTF secretary general Fuad Al Rowaie.
The J30 Manama ITF event was the second competition of its kind hosted by the kingdom in as many weeks. The other was the J30 Isa Town ITF championship.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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