TOP qualifiers Youssef Nabil and Lea Rebreyend yesterday barged into the Main Draws of their respective singles divisions in the 10th Bahrain ITF Juniors Championships 2018, being played at Bahrain Tennis Club (BTC).
Nabil, from Egypt, led the march of eight players into the main round.
Others who progressed were Zubin Omar from Bangladesh, Alexandre Ver Hulst from France and Oliver Richards from Great Britain following victories in their final round of qualifying.
Meanwhile, Rebreyend, from France, was joined by Andra Izabella Sirbu of Romania and Riya Matharoo and Saniya Asand, both from India, as the four qualifiers who made it into the Girls’ Singles Main Draw.
Action in both singles competitions is scheduled to begin today from 9am in the morning all the way through to the evening, making for a packed programme of 28 matches in all.
The official opening formalities will also be held at 5pm as part of the afternoon’s sessions. All are welcome to attend and cheer for their favourite players in their matches.
Also tonight, a Welcome Party for all those participating in the championships has been scheduled at Wyndham Garden Hotel in Juffair from 7.30pm onwards. All players attending the event will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win valuable prizes at the end of the gathering.
The 10th Bahrain ITF Juniors Championships 2018 is being held under the patronage of Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa. It is supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs (MYS) and is sponsored by Bapco and E K Kanoo.
MYS Director of Clubs Affairs Tareq Al Arabi visited BTC yesterday morning and gave two thumbs up for all the work done by the club in hosting the championships to the highest of international standards. Al Arabi spoke with some of the players and their parents about the competition, and was delighted to receive only positive feedback regarding all aspects of the organisation. He was received on his visit by BTC Club Manager Hamdi Abduljawad and BTC Administration Manager Khalid Ghuloom.
In the boys’ qualifiers yesterday, Nabil had a hard-earned 6-3, 6-3 win over Archie Graham from Great Britain. The result put him through to the competition proper. Omar followed suit with a 6-0, 6-2 victory against Deepak Vayara of India.
Forward
Ver Hulst beat Harold Huens of Belgium 6-1, 6-1 to join the boys moving forward, while Richards got the better of Siddharth Jadli of India 6-0, 6-1.
In the girls’ qualifiers, Lea managed to claim a fine 6-1, 6-0 win against Sophie De Boer of Bahrain. Also victorious was Andra, who defeated Zaara Omar of the US 6-2, 6-3.
Indians Riya and Saniya had contrasting victories to book their berths in the Main Round. Riya overcame a tough challenge from Lia Mosimann from Switzerland 6-3, 7-6 (3), while Saniya beat Bahrain’s other qualifying hopeful, Maryam Isa, 6-1, 6-0.
Heading into play in the Main Draws, Saud Alhaqbani of Saudi Arabia, ranked 706th in the world, has been confirmed to be the top seed amongst the 32 competing boys.
Bahrain will be represented by three boys in the championships. Having entered as Wild Cards, flying the kingdom’s flag will be Mohammed Alkhan, Ali Al Sharif and Hassan Alqattan.
Amongst the girls, Tuana Tinaztepe of Turkey, ranked 826th in the world, has emerged as the number one seed. There are two Bahraini girls in their Main Draw, namely Nazil Nader Redha and Maya Bseisu, both of whom are Wild Cards.
Yesterday’s Results
Boys’ Qualifiers: Youssef Nabil (EGY) bt Archie Graham (GBR) 6-3, 6-3; Zubin Omar (BAN) bt Deepak Vayara (IND) 6-0, 6-2; Alexandre Ver Hulst (FRA) bt Harold Huens (BEL) 6-1, 6-1; Oliver Richards (GBR) bt Siddharth Jadli (IND) 6-0, 6-1.
Girls’ Qualifiers: Andra Izabella Sirbu (ROU) bt Zaara Omar (USA) 6-2, 6-3; Lea Rebreyend (FRA) bt Sophie De Boer (BRN) 6-1, 6-0; Riya Matharoo (IND) bt Lia Mosimann (SUI) 6-3, 7-6 (3); Saniya Masand (IND) bt Maryam Isa (BRN) 6-1, 6-0.
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