Tennis Manitoba’s Florida Junior Tour (December 3-16) is in full swing! In the first of five two-day tournaments, Shawn Sophasath of Portage la Prairie lost the boys’ U14 final to Pedro Diaz of Brazil 7-5, 3-6, 10-7. “This was a very good match for Shawn,” said coach Jared Connell. “The Brazilian was a true defender and had a soft hand with nice drop shots, lobs and volleys.” Winnipeg’s Stefan Barre dropped his opening match in the boys’ U12 to a player from Japan before an improved performance in the consolation round where he lost 6-4. “He was a different player today getting into rallies, playing an all-court style with some solid net play and just a more positive energy on the court,” Connell said of Barre’s play in the consolation.
Meanwhile, Reece Carter fell 6-1, 6-1 to Alexandra Yepifanova in the first round of the girls’ U12 main draw at the Eddie Herr International Junior Championships. Carter will compete in the main draw of the girls’ U12 at the Orange Bowl International Tennis Championship, also in Florida, December 13-22.
