International Tennis Federation U-18 Tournaments conclude

St Vincent and the Grenadines successfully hosted two back-to-back International Tennis Federation (ITF) Under-18 Tournaments, with the second concluding last Friday, August 16, 2024.

The National Tennis Centre at Villa was the venue for the two tournaments, which flowed seamlessly following the Central American and the Caribbean Tennis Federation (COTTEC) Under-14 Tournament, staged from July 27-31.

When it all ended, it was Alex Huszar of Australia, who stamped his dominance on the St Vincent and the Grenadines leg of the Under-18 Tournaments registering his second title on the trot.

Huszar, who laid hands on the first of the back-to-back tournaments the previous week, continued his winning ways, as he saw off Rowan Qalbani, 6-3, 6-3, to cop the Boys title.

But Qalbani, who had earlier teamed up with fellow American, Elijah Johnson beat the combination of Great Britain’s Ron Roopesh and Ross John of the USA, 7-5, 6-2, to win the Doubles.

However, the story was differently scripted in the Girls category, as Thea Latak of the USA filed to make it two straight as she was toppled by Sophie Buzzigoli of Great Britain, 4-6, 7-6, 6-2.

Although Latak failed to repeat her singles feat, she and Iana Kravchenkova of Russia, had earlier retained their Doubles crown, when they saw off the USA duo of Sarawda and Saraswati Godwa.

The consecutive Under-18 tournaments, also saw participation from Trinidad and Tobago, Italy, Norway, Canada, Brazil, Israel, Jamaica, Australia, St Lucia and France.