Hon, Anderson scoop junior titles in Germany
Australia has dominated in Germany over the weekend, with Priscilla Hon and Oliver Anderson taking out the prestigious Cologne Junior Tennis Cup titles.
Cologne, Germany, 7 August 2012 | Tennis Australia
Australia has dominated in Germany this weekend with Priscilla Hon (Rochedale, Qld) and Oliver Anderson (Yeronga, Qld) taking out both singles titles in the prestigious Cologne Junior Tennis Cup, a Category 1 event in the 14/u European Young Stars competition.
Anderson and Hon, both scholarship holders with the National Academy Brisbane, join a star-studded honour roll that includes names such as Boris Becker, Steffi Graf, Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka.
Hon, seeded No.16, survived a tough three setter over top seeded Russian Aleksandra Pospelova 7-6(0) 0-6 7-5 to progress to the quarterfinals, then came back from a set down to defeat Anastasia Zarytska from the Ukraine 2-6 6-2 7-5.
From there on it was much more straightforward, with Hon easily overcoming No.15 seed Siqui Cao from China 6-1 6-3 in the semis and India’s Pranjala Yadlapalli 6-1 6-2 to win the title.
Anderson, also seeded No.16, eliminated a number of seeds on his way to the final. He needed three sets to overcome No.4 seed Louis Wessel from Germany 4-6 7-5 6-3 in the second round, and defeated Korea’s Chan-Yeong Oh, No.8, 6-4 7-6(7) in the quarters.
In the final he took out No.3 seed Denys Klok from the Ukraine 6-2 6-3.
“This is Priscilla’s second title for the tour – she won an ITF in Switzerland last week and she’s enjoying a 12-match winning streak, with an overall win-loss record on this European tour standing at 29-4,” National Academy Brisbane Coach Anthony Richardson said.
“Cologne was also a break through week for Oli Anderson following a semifinal appearance in the Netherlands and making the quarters in Paris. He’s made great progress this week with respect to his professionalism and mentality – critical elements to his success.
“Overall it’s been a great week for the team, with Kimberly Birrell (Hope Island, Qld) also reaching the quarterfinals here in Cologne. There are some really positive signs for the Aussies as we get closer to the ITF World Junior Tennis Competition in the Czech Republic in a couple of weeks.”
Priscilla Hon and Oliver Anderson are both full scholarship holders at the National Academy Brisbane, coached by Anthony Richardson and Mark Draper respectively. Anderson also works with private coach Graeme Brimblecombe.