Dr. McKorley (4th L) with the men’s winner, other winners and officials after the event
Chief Executive Officer of McDan Group of Companies Limited, Dr. Daniel McKorley, has stated that the successful hosting of the ITF 7 World Junior Circuit Tour is the beginning of good things to happen to the sport.
The McDan boss’ unflinching support for tennis in the last five years earned Ghana the ITF certification and the rights to host the three-week prestigious competitions at the Accra Stadium Tennis Court.
He expressed joy after witnessing last Saturday’s ITF 7 World Junior showpiece, adding that “this is just the beginning, five years ago; l stood here and promised that McDan will take tennis high.
“Tennis is big business, and we are taking Ghana tennis a notch higher.
“Today, l am glad to let you that we are on course. A week has just gone by with a keenly contested junior tennis; we have another two weeks for an expected exciting tennis encounters here.
“We need more competitions to keep our players on their toes and for this particular tourney; it helps the players by way of building their points.
“Tennis is business, it is big and we will continue to support it till it places Ghana up there. I thank Twellium Industries Limited for believing in our dream and the other corporate institutions like Interplast, Palace Decor, Fox, Hollard Insurance and Ann Natural Mineral water for coming on board.
Mathis Bondaz confirmed his status as one of the world’s best young players with a stunning victory over Seychelles Damien Laporte to lift the Accra ITF 7 World Junior Circuit trophy for the boys’ singles.
Bondaz, unseeded player from France, gave a display of breathtaking quality to triumph 6-4,6-3 in two hours and 10 minutes.
“He’s had a great tournament and I wish we have many more tough matches in the coming month,” Bondaz of Damien Laporte said.
The crowd was treated to several baseline rallies in the opening stages with Laporte breaking serve for 2-0 only to surrender his advantage immediately.
In the girls’ finals, Chinese Han Shi beat Egyptian Hagar Ramadan to win her first ITF Junior Circuit title. Thirteen-year-old Han Shi displayed amazing focus throughout the week and never lost a set.
In the girls’ doubles fina,l France-based Astride Cirotte paired with Martha Makantasi from Greece to oust Danish Charlotte Mosbaek Ellegaard and Russian Olga Mishenina 6-2,6-2.
Boys’ doubles winners were Indian Lumba Eshaan and Egyptian Youssef Nabil. Polish Marcel Politowicz and Boris Stastny from Czech Republic were finalists (6-4,7-5).
The one-week tourney received sponsorship from McDan Group of Companies, with support from Vitamilk and Rosswoodghana Co. Limited, Hollard and Coconut Grove Hotels
The three-week tennis fiesta continues this week to Saturday.
By Kofi Owusu Aduonum