Dubai: Ryuki Matsuda of Japan and Clara Tauson of Denmark were crowned champions in the boy’s and girl’s singles at the 15th Dubai ITF Junior Championships that concluded at the Dubai Tennis Stadium on Saturday.
The fifth-seeded Matsuda powered his way to an emphatic 6-0, 6-4 win over Mert Al Kaya of Turkey for the boy’s title, while top-seeded Tauson lived up to her seeding with a 6-4, 6-2 win over second seed Mariam Dalakishvili of Georgia.
Nasser Al Marzouki, board member of Tennis Emirates (TE), was joined by Slah Bramly, TE technical director, and Magdy Al Shaikh and Jasmin Micoyco from sponsors Dubai Duty Free at the presentation of trophies to the winners after the finals.
The boy’s final was one-sided with the 16-year-old Japanese hustling his Turkish opponent around to walk away with the first set 6-0. In the second set, the two exchanged breaks early, but Matsuda broke Alkaya on the next two occasions to stay clear 5-3. The Turkish teen tried to claw back by mixing up his game, but the Japanese just stuck to basics to hold and help himself to his first-ever title on the ITF circuit.
“I made too many mistakes, especially in the first set,” Al Kaya rued.
“By the time I got my rhythm it was too late for me,” he added.
Matsuda was thrilled at winning his first-ever title on the circuit.
“I think my experience of having played in a final earlier counted today. Today was my day and I am so happy at this achievement,” he said.
“Now it’s back to school and training for me in Japan,” he added.
Tauson was a relieved girl after winning her first-ever crown, although after nine attempts.
“I had [gotten] used to playing in finals and losing,” she smiled.
“This was the first time that I made two weeks on the trot, and I am happy and relieved to be heading back home with at least one trophy,” the lanky Dane said.
This was the tenth and final tournament of the season for Tauson. ITF regulations stipulate a maximum of ten tournaments for 13-year-olds, while another four competitions can be added to a 14-year-old’s schedule.
“It’s back to the courts and books for me. It is going to be more hard work now on so that I can have a better year in 2017,” said the top seed.
Disappointed at her loss, Dalakishvili blamed herself for the slow start.
“I was somewhere else,” she blurted.
“Maybe I would not have won but at least I should have played better tennis that I am always capable of,” Dalakishvili added.
RESULTS
Girls final: Clara Tauson def. Mariam Dalakishvili 6-4, 6-2
Boy’s final: Ryuki Matsuda def. Mert Alkaya 6-0, 6-4
-Ends
