THERE was a distinct international touch at this year’s South Perth Tennis Club Junior Tournament.
Not only did four young tennis players from Korea take part in the annual tournament, one of the visitors – Onyu Choi – won the 14-and-under girls’ singles.
She also teamed with compatriot Nahyeong Cho to take out the girls’ doubles title.
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READ NOWThey joined more than 100 budding locals aged 8 to 16 for the three-day tournament in the last week of school holidays.
Tournament director Lorraine Chyne said game watchers were impressed by the children’s great skill and sportsmanship at their early age.
“The children showed many of the skills that the Australian Open competitors use,” she said.
“Rallies were frequently long with lots of baseline topspin shots.”
Ms Chyne said the biggest difference for them this year was the good weather.
“Not too hot and compared to two of the past three years, no rain,” she said.
“I know that seems strange for January but the previous year we lost one and a half days of a three-day tournament.”
Results
10 and under
Boys Doubles – Marko Dimitrijevic and Nicholas Kordzik
Girls Doubles – Kristin Kirby-Smith and Naomi-Mariana Vakadranu
Boys Singles – Tyson Musca
Girls Singles – Jasmine Walton
12 and under
Boys Doubles – Archie Brown and Charlie Robinson
Boys Singles – Archie Brown
Girls Singles – Claudia Shearwood
14 and under
Boys Doubles – Joshua Blundell-Williams and Samuel English
Girls Doubles – Onyu Choi and Nahyeong Cho
Boys Singles – Joshua Blundell-Williams
Girls Singles – Onyu Choi
16 and under
Girls Doubles – Alfee Stevens and Alice Stevens
Boys Singles – Kent Yamazaki
Girls Singles – Yelena Kelleher