Bangkok, Thailand, 13 March 2013 | Tennis Australia

The next generation of Aussie tennis stars has hit the road this month, kick-starting its tour of South East Asia with a string of impressive results.

In the first round of the Australian Asia ITF Tour in Bangkok, Thailand, Aussie juniors have taken out both the boys’ and girls’ singles titles in a big week of on-court action.

Fifteen-year-old Omar Jasika (Vic) didn’t drop a set on his way to claiming the boys’ title, while unseeded Ellen Perez (NSW) sent five seeds packing en route to the girls’ title.

On the doubles court South Australian Bradley Mousley teamed up with Lucas Miedler (AUT) to clinch the boys’ crown, capping a successful week for Australia.

Jasika, the No. 10 seed, was relentless in his pursuit of victory, with wins over Mexico’s Adrian Ortiz (6-3 6-1), Thai hope Krittin Koaykul (6-1 6-1), Taipei’s Shao-Chi Yang (6-1 6-2), Briton Thomas Colautti (6-1 6-4) and countryman Harry Bourchier (7-6(5) 4-2 Ret.) before a 7-5 6-4 defeat of sixth seed Cameron Norrie (NZL) in the final.

In the girls’ singles draw, Ellen Perez routed five seeded players on her charge to victory.

Perez launched her campaign with a hard-fought win over Serbian No. 3 seed Nina Stojanovic (2-6 6-2 7-5) before defeating Japan’s Lisa-Marie Rioux (6-1 6-2), British No.13 seed Katie Boulter (6-2 6-4), Thai ninth seed Kamonwan Buayam (4-6 6-4 6-3) and Russian second seed Elizaveta Kulichkova (6-3 6-2) to book her place in the decider.

The 17-year-old survived a tough three-set final against No. 5 seed Katherine Ip (HKG), who earlier ended Queenslander Sara Tomic’s title hopes in the semifinals, taking victory 7-6(5) 6-7(6) 6-2).

In doubles action Bradley Mousley teamed with Lucas Miedler to clinch the boys’ crown, the No. 3 seeds overcoming top seeds Luke Bambridge (GBR) and Borna Coric (CRO) 7-6(6) 6-4 in the decider.

The Australian contingent in Asia comprises Jasika, Mousley, Harry Bourchier (Vic), Daniel Guccione (Vic), Marc Polmans (Vic), Akira Santillan (Qld), Jake Delaney (NSW), Perez, Tomic, Priscilla Hon (Qld), Lizette Cabrera (Qld), Olivia Tjandramulia (Qld), Naiktha Bains (Qld), Kimberly Birrell (Qld) accompanied by Wayne Arthurs (Coach), Liam Smith (Coach), Milo Bradley (Coach), Anthony Richardson (Coach) and Stefano Barsacchi (Physical Performance).

The Aussies have now travelled to Sarawak, Malaysia, for the second of three junior ITF events on their tour of South East Asia. The Sarawak Chief Minister’s Cup commences today, with finals to be played on Sunday 17 March.

The Australian Asia ITF Tour provides an opportunity for athletes to improve their ITF ranking before the European summer season. The tour will conclude in the Philippines following this week’s hit-out in Malaysia.