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Copa 2022
¿Tendremos una final de ensueño de BORG/RODDICK? Suave, suave dicen los sembrados 1 y 2 Dali BLANCH de USA y Natan RODRIGUEZ de Brasil. BLANCH continúa su búsqueda a la final (logrado por su hermano Ulises hace 4 años) y finalmente perdió un set contra Axel GARCIAN de francia por 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 pero sigue intimidante con sus golpes duros. Natan RODRIGUEZ doblegó a Jin GU de la china 6-2, 6-4, así manteniendo su posición en la segunda mitad de la llave. Otros talentosos jugadores también siguen disputando el camino a la final. Estos incluyen a BOSCARDIN (10) de brasil, KUZUHARA de USA, DE ALBA VALDES (4) de méxico, y SADAOUI (11) de francia.
La llave femenil continúa con su gran apertura en cuanto las siembras mayores siguen cayendo. La no. 1 Julia GARCIA de méxico cayó ante Alexis BLOKHINA de USA 7-6, 6-2 así como la otra mexicana Alejandra CRUZ sembrada 5 ante Rebecca LYNN de USA (11) por marcador 7-5, 6-2. Solamente las siembras 8, 11, 15, y 16 permanecen en la llave lo que significa que un puesto en la final es posible para cualquiera de las jugadoras que quedan.
Las no sembradas Melisa ERCAN de turquía y Alexia HARMON de USA continúan ganando en la mitad de la llave. HARMON es una jugadora que llama la atención en cuanto sigue ganando con facilidad, habiendo despachado a la sembrada 6 VAN IMPE de bégica por 6-0, 6-1 en la segunda vuelta. Sofia ROJAS y Nevena CARTON, ambas de USA también han ganado con facilidad. Otra jugadora notable es la serbia Lola RADIVOJEVIC (15) quien eliminó a la dificil Tanisha KASYAP de la india en 3 sets. KASHYAP había derrotado a la no. 2 Tara MALIK de USA por 6-0, 6-4 en la segunda vuelta. Sí, esta llave se la lleva cualquiera de las jugadoras.
Copa 2019 Semifinal
En la otra semifinal varonil el jugador de gran saque y golpes duros Martin DAMM de USA, hijo de un jugador ATP checo del mismo nombre, despachó a Alex MARTINEZ de España, ganando por marcador 6-4, 6-4. MARTINEZ tiene familia en Costa Rica y era el favorito de los aficionados pero no pudo mantenerse ante la fuerza de DAMM aunque el español es 2 años mayor. En segunda vuelta DAMM desalojó al sembrado 2 MALAN de Sur Africa para tomar el lugar del último puesto en la llave y ahora se encuentra en la final con el japonés que ocupa el primer lugar de la llave.
Ambos jugadores nacieron en el 2003. El lector debe juzgar por sí mismo cuál de los 2 ha logrado mayor desempeño para llegar a esta final, y cuál debe ser el favorito. MOCHIZUKI es extremadamente agil, sube a net con frecuencia, tiene un gran tiro de smash y además una gran devolución de servicio. DAMM dispone de un muy fuerte saque y pega duro en sus golpes de gran precisión, así gastando a los competidores.
El camino a la final de MOCHIZUKI ha sido:
vuelta jugador país ranking siembra 1 CASSONE USA 248 no 2 HECK USA 202 no 3 DALE USA 147 14
QF PARK KOR 126 11
SF BAKER GBR 97 4
DAMM ha llegado conquistando a:
vuelta jugador país ranking siembra 1 VINAS ARG 531 no 2 MALAN RSA 87 2 3 BERNARD USA 190 no
QF LEE USA 124 10
SF MARTINEZ ESP 215 no
En la semifinal femenil la no sembrada canadiense Melodie COLLARD continuó siendo la revelación del torneo, sobreviviendo y domando a la muy capaz jugadora sembrada 14 Charlotte OWENSBY de USA en un difícil encuentro a 3 sets, con marcador 6-1, 6-7, 7-5. Melodie ha deleitado a la afición con su estilo poco usual de todo terreno, incursionando a net con frecuencia, voleando, y defendiendo globos con su fuerte smash. Fue un partido emocionante hasta el final donde OWENSBY se defendió hasta el último 7-5.
El otro partido de semifinal de damas fue acreditado a la no sembrada Abigail FORBES de USA ranqueada 418 quien le ganó a su compañera de práctica Gabriella PRICE (USA), ranqueada 38 y sembrada 2. PRICE parece tener los golpes más clásicos y vistosos y voló durante el torneo sin perder un set hasta la SF. Sin embargo FORBES, una jugadora muy capaz quien jugará para la universidad UCLA en setiembre, quizás tenía una leve ventaja en mayor volumen de cuerpo y 2 años más de experiencia, nacida en 2001 vs 2003 para PRICE.
COLLARD juega todo terreno y es más atrevida en sus tácticas pero FORBES es jugadora fuerte y resistente que quizás podrá manejar mejor la presión del momento y defenderse. Ambas jugadoras no están sembradas y se ubican en los 400´s del ranking mundial ITF. (COLLARD = 441, FORBES = 418). Juzgue por sí mismo cuál de las 2 jugadoras ha tenido mayores logros para llegar a esta final, y cuál será la favorita.
El camino de COLLARD a la final ha sido:
vuelta jugadora país ranking siembra
1 NOEL USA 15 1
2 PLAZAS COL 264 no
3 KARNER AUT 382 no QF GARCIA GROSS USA 708 no SF OWENSBY USA 150 14
FORBES ha llegado por:
vuelta jugadora país ranking siembra
1 CHAVARRIA CRC 990 no
2 CCUNO PER 99 7
3 INOUE USA 140 12 QF DEFALCO USA 184 10 SF PRICE USA 38 2
Copa 2019 Qualy Ha Comenzado
En la llave varonil los resultados en general se ajustaron a lo anticipado en cuanto 14 de 16 sembrados progresaron a la segunda vuelta, con sorpresas sobre los sembrados 12 y 14 por Jameson CORSILLO (USA) y Francisco ARCE VIEYRA (MEX) respectivamente. La Llave femenil incluyó solamente 8 siembras y todas pasaron a la segunda vuelta por modalidad de Bye. Los 8 partidos jugados fueron disputados entre jugadoras sin ranking, principalmente jugadoras locales deseando entrar a la Llave Principal.
La acción tenística de mañana definirá los últimos puestos de las Llaves Principales, llegando así al límite de 64 jugadores. Partidos de las Llaves Principales comenzarán temprano el lunes 14 de enero.
La Copa 2019 Lista para Comenzar
Ambas llaves indican un alto nivel de talento tenístico con 5 top 100 jugadores por el lado varonil de 5 diferentes países, y 19 top 200. La lista femenil incluye 7 top 100 de 5 países, y 21 jugadoras dentro de las primeras 200.
El corte varonil a la posición 46 ha sido 343, y del lado femenil 460, así reflejando un elenco fuerte de jugadores. De los primeros 46 jugadores en ambas Llaves Principales, 19 varones (41%) y 17 damas (37%) regresan de la Copa del Café 2018.
La lista varonil ahora incluye 111 nombres desde una inscripción total de 211, y del lado femenil actualmente se incluyen 82 jugadoras desde una inscripción total de 187 jugadoras que se disputan los 64 puestos de cada Llave Principal. Esto significa que el Qualy varonil probablemente incluirá un complemento completo de 32 jugadores, mientras que habrán varios “byes” en el Qualy femenil donde toda jugadora en la lista tendrá oportunidad de jugar por lo menos el Qualy.
La Copa no. 55 entonces dará comienzo oficial el sábado 12 de enero 2019 con las Llaves de Calificación, a ser completada el domingo para así definir los últimos 8 puestos de la Llave Principal que comienza temprano el lunes 14 de enero. Los invitamos a unirse a la acción tenistica.
Copa 2022 Finals
Boys Singles Sebastian GORZNY [7] of USA who beat Cooper WILLIAMS [1] of USA by 6-3, 7-6(7)
Girls Singles Sonya MACAVEI [8] of USA who beat Naomi XU of Canada by
7-5, 2-6, 6-0
Boys Doubles Cooper WILLIAMS (USA) and Michael ZHENG (USA) [1] who beat Nicholas GODSICK (USA) and Sebastian GORZNY (USA) [2] by
6-3, 6-1
Girls Doubles Nikola DAUBNEROVA of Slovakia and Luca UDVARDY of Hungary [2] who beat Gabriella BROADFOOT of South Africa and Elisabeth JONES of USA by 2-6, 6-1, 11-9
We congratulate the winners and finalists on a great tournament and invite them to return in 2023, age permitting, for our 58th Copa del Café.
The Tournament Committee thanks all players, coaches, and parents who have come to our event and wish them well in their careers and travel. We also thank:
- our sponsors without whose support the Copa del Café could not happen,
- our tireless tennis staff who fill the many roles necessary behind the scenes,
- the CRCC maintenance and administrative staff who provide logistics for the Copa,
- the Club Board of Directors who provide strong backing for this national sports event
- the Costa Rica Tennis Federation (FTC)
Copa 2022 Semifinals
Top seed Cooper WILLIAMS (USA) had an easier semifinal match than in the QF which went to 3 sets. In the SF WILLIAMS easily dominated his doubles partner 6-2, 6-1, which must have been a disappointment to ZHENG who had a good tournament, beating some top players. WILLIAMS is no. 1 seed for a reason, displaying top junior tennis with a terrific serve and strong laser-like groundstrokes. He won rounds 1 and 2 in straight sets over talented opponents, but had to dig deeper to push back a tough BASAVAREDDY in 3 QF sets. Cooper´s path to the final has been:
round opponent country seed/ranking score
1 Michael KRAJCI Slovakia no / 165 6-2, 6-4
2 Sean DARYABEIGI USA no / 120 7-5, 7-6
QF Nishesh BASAVAREDDY USA WC / 657 3-6, 7-6, 6-2
SF Michael ZHENG USA 5 / 75 6-2, 6-1
Seventh seed Sebastian GORZNY of USA had a comfortable win against qualifier Learner TIEN in the SF. TIEN, who had surprised third seed Nick GODSICK in the QF was not as hot in the SF round. But TIEN had a strong tournament, as he started in the Qualy and will earn points for his performance at the Copa. GORZNY barely made it to the semis past Jonah BRASWELL of USA in the QF round in probably the best match of the tournament. In a marathon 4 hour battle in Stadium Court, GORZNY outlasted the highly talented BRASWELL, taking the first set tiebreak 14 – 12, and getting a favorable call to get to match point. But GORZNY did not luck into the SF; he earned it by playing strong tennis throughout the week. He will be a tough match for WILLIAMS in the final. Sebastian´s road to Saturday has been:
round opponent country seed/ranking score
1 Paulo POCASANGRE Costa Rica WC /784 6-2, 6-2
2 Paul BARBIER France no / 155 6-4, 6-4
QF Jonah BRASWELL USA no / 112 6-7, 6-4, 7-6
SF Learner TIEN USA Q / 166 6-1, 6-4
Which of these players will take the Boys Championship? We will find out Saturday.
The Girls SF was played Thursday in the morning round. The outcome: MACAVEI vs. XU in the final.
Eighth seed Sonya MACAVEI (USA) outlasted seventh seed Sayoka ISHII of Japan in 3 sets 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 to claim her place in the Saturday matchup. Both players are solid and capable, yet Sonya outlasted Sayoka as the American was able to do with all of her opponents. Sonya´s lefty game is not flashy or overpowering, although she has a good forehand, but rather is consistent and wears down opponents. Sonya´s path to the final has been:
round opponent country seed/ranking score
1 Ellie DANIELS Canada WC / 232 6-3, 6-1
2 Yujin KIM Korea Q / 475 7-5, 6-4
QF Victoria OSUIGWE USA Q / 470 6-0, 6-4
SF Sayaka ISHII Japan 7 / 102 4-6, 6-4,6-1
Unseeded Naomi XU of Canada, listed 183 on the ITF ranking, pushed back sixth seed Luca UDVARDY of Hungary, also in 3 sets, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 to take the second spot in the final. UDVARDY had a good tournament, beating back good players and getting to the finals in doubles, but was outmaneuvered in the SF by a wily XU. Unlike her Japanese namesake, 15 year old Naomi, who is small of stature, does not overpower opponents but rather bewilders them with fine placement and seemingly returning every ball. Her weakness is a soft second serve but it has not stopped her yet. Naomi´s path to the final has been:
round opponent country seed/ranking score
1 Elizabeth JONES USA no /125 6-1, 6-2
2 Ava KRUG USA 5 / 89 6-7, 6-3, 6-2
QF Mia SLAMA USA 4 / 85 1-6, 6-4, 6-3
SF Luca UDVARDY Hungary 6 / 91 6-2, 4-6, 6-4
Which of these players will hoist the championship trophy? We will find out Saturday.
Day 4 Results
In Girls quarterfinals seventh seed Sayaka ISHII of Japan played well and held back the tough Gabriella BROADFOOT of South Africa in 3 sets, 6-3, 2-6, 6-3. Eighth seed Sonya MACAVEI of USA dispatched Victoria OSUIGWE (USA) by 6-0, 6-4. MACAVEI in back to back matches dashed the hopes of strong qualifiers (Yujin KIM of Korea in the previous round). In the bottom half of the Girls draw, Luca UDVARDY of Hungary won a second consecutive 3 set match over a tough player, this time Mia SLAMA of USA seeded 4, by a score of 4-6, 6-2, 6-1. The last semifinal slot has gone to the surprising Naomi XU of Canada who bested Ahmani GUICHARD (USA) in straight sets 6-2,6-2. GUICHARD was a tough opponent who had beaten top players including no. 2 seed, so the final score was a bit surprising. Fifteen year old Naomi is a small player with little power but backs opponents into corners with superior placement and a strong court sense.
Doubles semifinals are now set with the top 2 seeds (all players from USA) in the Boys draw competing against talented and capable opponents from France, Great Britain, and Mexico. In Girls Doubles the team of Gabriella BROADFOOT (South Africa) and Elizabeth JONES (USA) toppled the top seeds BLANCH and KRUG by a score of 6-3, 7-6 to claim a semifinal slot. The remaining berths have been taken by teams seeded 2,3, and 4, representing Japan, Taiwan, USA, Slovakia, Hungary and USA.
Day 3 Results
In the Girls draw, only seeds 4 (Mia SLAMA of USA), 6 (Luca UDVARDY of Hungary), 7 (Sayaka ISHII of Japan), and 8 (Sonya MACAVEI of USA) remain as the top seeds went out in First Round play. These are all accomplished players who could be playing tomorrow. Of the 4 remaining players, Gabriella BROADFOOT of South Africa has been impressive, knocking out the first seed, as has been Ahmani GUICHARD of USA knocking out no. 2 seed at the opposite end of the draw. Naomi XU of Canada is still in the picture as well. Fifteen year old Naomi is small of stature but perhaps a giant killer, having dispatched hard hitting Ava KRUG of USA in the Second Round. The last of the hopeful 8 is Victoria OSUIGWE (USA), in from the Qualy and now going for her 6th win in the tournament. Victoria is a patient and poised player, playing well above her ranking (470).
In Doubles action, half of quarterfinal action has been played with the remaining matches to be played today. An exciting doubles match saw Paul BARBIER (FRA) and William JANSEN (GBR) eliminate Chilean Alejandro BANCALARI and Argentine Gianluca CITADINI in 3 sets 4-6, 6-0, 10-7, disappointing the Latin American player contingent. In Girls Doubles, the final match, between Sayaka ISHII of Japan and Madelaine JESSUP of Taiwan against local Nicole ALFARO and Canadian Sarah L´ALLIER, was televised to the delight of Costa Rican fans, but unfortunately for the locals, the Asian duo prevailed 7-5, 7-5.
Singles and Doubles play has been highly entertaining and it is a shame that due to stricter Covid protocols the public has not been able to witness the stellar junior tennis. Only other players, coaches, parents, and organization staff have been present to appreciate the fine play.
Day 2 Results
As noted earlier, the Girls MD is wide open with the defeat of seeds 1,2, and 3 in the first round. Two players that have posted surprises are Victoria OSUIGWE (ranked 470) and Yujin KIM (ranked 475) who came in from the Qualy and have played much better than their ranking would imply. Players to watch: Gabriella BROADFOOT from South Africa who bested the top seed, and 5 players ranked between 85 and 103 (Mia SLAMA, Ava KRUG, and Sonya MACAVEI of USA, Luca UDVARDY of Hungary, and Sayaka ISHII of Japan. But there are several others who could figure in the mix as well, so that any one of these could hoist the championship trophy on Saturday.
The first round of Doubles commenced Tuesday afternoon. In the Boys Doubles, 3 of 4 seeded teams are into the second round. But it is difficult to handicap doubles where surprises are frequent, both in Boys and Girls doubles draws. In Girls Doubles all 4 seeded teams are in the QF but the other 4 teams look very capable as well. Time will tell.
First Round Results
The Girls draw was chaotic as seeds 1, 2, and 3 have been eliminated. Gabriella BROADFOOT of South Africa (ranked 228) outlasted the hard hitting no.1 Krystal BLANCH (ranked 65) by 6-4, 7-5 on Stadium Court, and Ahmani GUICHARD of USA (ranked 185) bested second seed Nina Vargova of Slovakia in 3 tough sets 6-3, 5-7, 6-3. Third seed Nikola DAUBNEROVA, also from Slovakia and ranked 75, fell to qualifier Victoria OSUIGWE of USA (ranked 470) by a score of 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. Another notable match was number 6 seed Luca UDVARDI of Hungary against 2020 finalist Alexia Harmon of USA. Surprisingly, Luca won rather easily by 6-1. 6-1. A quirky matchup occurred on court 2 as Canadian Orly OGILVY beat Isabella CHHIV for the second day in a row. The first match was the last round of the Qualy but Isabella got into the MD as a lucky loser, only to face the same opponent, with the same result, this time by 6-3. 6-3. Yes, the Girls draw is wide open, up for grabs.