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Goodman Fielder North Pacific Qualifying
The second qualifying event for the ITF Pacific Oceania Junior Championships 2010 took place in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands in June. For the first time a 12/u event was incorporated into the program and proved very popular with great entries from around the region. The 12/u girls final was a thrilling match with Negahr Restguiy (NMI) beating Ayana Rengiil (PAL) 26 76(5) 63. Terry Rush (FSM) beat Chris Cajigan (NMI) 76 62 to win the boys 12s
The photo above shows the players and coaches at the opening ceremony in Saipan with tournament director Jeff Race in front. The winners and runners-up were spread across all nations this year which is good news for the development of tennis in the North. guam dominated the 14/u girls with Katie Lai scoring a comeback win over Chloe Gadsen in the final 06 64 64. NMI had both finalists in the 14/u boys where Christian Miller was totally dominant throughout the event beating Jake Lee 60 63 in the final.
At the 18/u level the finalists were from three nations. Thea Minor won the 18/u girls for NMI beating Alyssa Hawkins (FSM) 61 60. The 18/u boys was played as a round robin and Marten Lai (GUM) finished top with Rafael Jones (NMI) in second place.
The North Pacific team was selected at the end of theevent based on results and a full team will travel to Fiji for the Goodman Fielder Pacific Oceania Junior Championships in late July.
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Goodman Fielder West Pacific Qualifying
The first qualifying event for the ITF Pacific Oceania Junior Championships 2010 took place in Lautoka, Fiji, in the first week of May. For the first time a 12/u event was incorporated into the program. The 12/u girls round robin event was won by Natasha Nakandaul (PNG) with a 6-1 record from Nella Dausabea (SOL) and Hashmita Rajan (FIJ) with 5-2 records. Matthew Stubbings (PNG) beat CJ Begg (FIJ) in the final of the 12/u boys.
The photo above shows the winners of the 14/u and 18/u events. Three of the four singles finals in these events were three set matches and all were exciting. Alesi Molotii (TUV) played great tennis all week and in the 14/u girls final came out on top against Lorish Puluspene (PNG) 57 60 61. Geordie Daulaca (FIJ) captured Fiji's only title with victory in the 14/u boys just edging out PNG's Robin Morove in three sets 46 62 64.
As expected Marcia Tere-Apisah (PNG) won the 18/u girls title but had to withstand some excellent play from Annie Shannon (FIJ) before winning 75 75. Luke Paeni (SOL) and Chris Hargrove (FIJ) also had a great tussle in the 18/u boys final with Paeni triumphing in the end 26 75 60.
The picture below shows four girls who featured in singles or doubles finals during the week who all began their tennis as ANZ mini tennis players.
Successful PO Girls Team Tour of NZ
Marcia Tere-Apisah (PNG) reached the final of the girls singles at the NZ National 16/u Championships in Auckland in April. Along the way she won a very tough match over Carly Davis in three sets before blitzing NZ 14/u champion Paige Hourigan in the semi-finals. The final, against top seed and world top 300 junior Leela Beattie, proved to be a lot tougher and Marcia went down in straight sets 61 62.
Tarani Kamoe also had an excellent tournament beating the 15th seed in three sets in her opening match before going down to Marcia 76 76 in the third round. She then reached the quarterfinals of the consolation before losing to eventual winner Holly Thomas. Annie Shannon had a tough opening match against the 13th seed. After a nervous start Annie played an excellent second set just going down in the tiebreaker. Annie then had two wins in the consolation singles.
In doubles Marcia, partnering Louise Oxnevad, reached the semifinals losing the the eventual winners. Annie and Tarani were finalists in the doubles consolation after receiving a tough first round draw.
Prior to the NZ nationals the girls played in the Auckland Junior Championships 18/16 division. Marcia won the singles beating Tarani in the final. Tarani had earlier scored an excellent win over Annie. Tarani and Annie combined very well in the doubles winning all their matches to claim the doubles title.
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