 Andrew McLeod prepares to hit a backhand return at Melbourne Park
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Andrew McLeod wins Gallipoli Youth CupIn the lead-up to Anzac Day, the 2009 Gallipoli Youth Cup, an International Tennis Federation 18/u Grade 4 event was held at Melbourne Park, home of the Australian Open. This unique sporting event aims to foster the already significant relationship between Australia and Turkey. More than 120 girls and boys competed in the event, all aiming to improve their international junior ranking. Entries came primarily from Australia, with international competitors from New Zealand, Austria, South Africa, China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Papua New Guinea and Samoa. Andrew McLeod (QLD) has won his second Optus Junior Tour title for 2009, taking out the boys' singles final at the Gallipoli Youth Cup at Melbourne Park on the weekend. McLeod, the winner the Optus 16s Autumn Nationals boys' singles title earlier this month, upset top seed Barrett Franks (NZL) 7-6(5) 6-2. Seeded eleventh, the 16-year-old won the tournament without dropping a single set. In the girls' final Chinese thirteenth seed Haochen Tang stormed past Optus Australian Junior Fed Cup team member Viktorija Rajicic (VIC) in convincing fashion. Tang, who eliminated the top seed in the third round, took the final 6-1 6-1. Rajicic and Tang then teamed up to win the girls' doubles final against Teiwa Casey (WA) and Emily Fanning (NZL). The boys' doubles final was a marathon three set match between top seeds Jordan Szabo (VIC) and Andrew Whittington (VIC) and No.6 seeds Jack Schipanski (SA) and Luke Saville (SA). After dropping the first set Szabo and Whittington fought back to take the second set, eventually winning the match 10-6 in the third. GALLIPOLI YOUTH CUP RESULTS: Boys Main Draw Singles Final: Boys Main Draw Doubles Final: Girls Main Draw Singles Final: Girls Main Draw Doubles: Full draws and results are available on www.tennis.com.au |