Rising junior secures upset win

The Queensland Times | 10th May 2011

FIFTEEN-year-old Jay Andrijic won his first ITF junior tournament after being crowned the Gallipoli Youth Cup champion at the George Alder Tennis Centre.

The sixth seed and former Junior Davis Cup representative player produced a commanding display to upset third seed James Frawley (ACT) 6-3 7-6 (9).

In the girls’ draw, top seed Nao Hibino (Japan) claimed her second ITF junior title in as many weeks. She produced a hard-fought victory in Ipswich against reigning Optus 14s Australian champion Brigitte Beck (Victoria).

Ranked No.72 in the ITF junior world rankings, Hibino added to her Queensland Junior Claycourt International title by defeating fifth seed Beck 6-2 2-6 6-2.

Andrijic and Hibino also enjoyed success in their respective doubles finals, with Andrijic pairing with former Optus 14s National Claycourt champion Bradley Mousley (South Australia) and Hibino joining forces with fellow Japanese rising star Ayano Sonoda.

“The Gallipoli Youth Cup was once again a great success, with all players competing in the right spirit while honouring those who served their country in war,” tournament director Mark Handley said.

“Jay and Nao were certainly the in-form players during the tournament, and both should be very proud of their achievements.”

The Gallipoli Youth Cup was first held in 2008. It is the brainchild of founder Umit Oraloglu and Australian tennis legend and tournament ambassador Pat Cash, in partnership with Tennis Australia.

The tournament concluded the Ipswich Festival of Tennis, a five-week event which featured the Optus National Claycourt Championships and was headlined by the City of Ipswich Tennis International in March.

Gallipoli Youth Cup Winners:

Boys singles final: (6) Jay Andrijic (NSW) d (3) James Frawley (ACT) 6-3 7-6 (9).

Boys doubles final: (2) Jay Andrijic (NSW)/Bradley Mousley (SA) d (3) Nick Horton (NSW)/Jacob Sullivan (NSW) 6-0 4-6 (10-6).

Girls singles final: (1) Nao Hibino (JPN) d (5) Brigitte Beck (Vic) 6-2 2-6 6-2.

Girls doubles final: (1) Nao Hibino (JPN)/Ayano Sonoda (JPN) d (8) Nicole Collie (SA)/Kely Restiana Putri (INA) 6-0 4-6 (10-5).