Monday December 4th 2006
The 60th celebration begins
by Annie Paton
This is a very special week at the Orange Bowl, which is celebrating it's 60th anniversary. A glittering list of tennis stars have past through these courts, either as winners or participants, creating a remarkable history, which all junior players will find awe inspiring. They should read this marvelous article by Florida Tennis magazine publisher, Jim Martz on the USTA website.

The sun shone brightly for the first day of the 2006 championships, despite the wet weather forecast and that it's a tad warm for this time of year.

Girl's 18 number one seed, Ayumi Morita (JPN) did not have time to adjust to the heat or the courts at Crandon Park before, Kai Chen Chang (TPE) took her to task by bouncing her out of the 2006 Orange Bowl, in an impressive two set win, 6-2; 7-6(3). The 47th junior ranked Chinese player was relentless, with her hard hitting groundstrokes that found the corners, forcing her opponent to run the full width of the court. Not an easy task for the player from Japan, who hits with two hands on both sides.

"I impressed myself that I could beat her," said Kai Chen, who reached the second round last week at the Eddie Herr Championships. "I have lost to her four times already, and this is the first time I won, but I get used to how she plays, so I know how to play her this time."

It also looked very precarious for the girl's 18 second seed, Ksenia Milevskaya (BLR) for awhile. USA's Jamie Hampton, who benefited from a wild card entry, battled to level the match at one-set-all, by charging to the net and putting away some exquisite volleys.

"She played great today," said Ksenia complimenting her opponent on their 6-4; 2-6; 6-0 battle. "In the third set I started to hit my first serves and I was like more aggressive."

Ksenia missed the Eddie Herr because she entered a 50,000, which is her second pro tournament. She made it through qualies and played the first round of the main draw. Now she is here to win, she said.

Another seed hit the dust, as Wil Spencer of USA, admitted to finding some unexpected form to oust the 6th seed, Roman Jebavy of Czech Republic in a very long and gripping first rounder, which lasted over two and a half hours. Wil took full advantage of his wild card entry, after a disappointing Eddie Herr Championships last week, when he fell in the third round of boy's 18 qualifying.

"Before this, I haven't played any junior tournaments for a long time," said the player from Ponce de Leon, Florida. "I've been down to Chile and played four Futures for a month down there, but I didn't do that well. Before that I had torn ligaments in my ankle for awhile, so I was recovering and trying to get some therapy for it."

Wil converted on his fifth set point in the second set to even the match at one-set-all, before bringing the match to a stunning conclusion, 4-6; 6-4; 7-5. "He's a fighter but I really really wanted to win this," said Wil. "I had to really try my hardest to beat him."

Also taking advantage of a wild card, Chase Buchanan (USA) upset the 7th seed, Jose Roberto Velasco (BOL) in a thrilling three setter, 7-5; 2-6; 6-4.

Meantime American, Donald Young (2) , is here to have stab at another Orange Bowl title. His first round went well today, defeating Dragos Mirtea (ROM) 6-3; 6-2, in front of an interested spectator; number one seed, Nicolas Santos (BRA) who seemed to be enjoying the match.

Donald won the 16s Orange Bowl in 2003 and followed that by being runner-up to Timothy Neilly in the 2004 boy's 18 final. Last year he was enmeshed in a very nerve wracking battle with Marin Cilic to be ITF world champion and consequently fell in the quarterfinal round. This year there are no such worries about his ranking, so the player from Atlanta, GA, can just enjoy doing what he does best; playing great tennis.

"I haven't been playing junior tennis and I need match play," said Donald. "In pro tournaments you don't go as far as juniors so its important to get rhythm, so I figured I would get a couple of matches here."

Finally, Oksana Kalashnikova (GEO), the 2005 Orange Bowl girl's 16s champion, advanced to the second round when Tammy Hendler (BEL) retired in the third set because of a sprained ankle.

Half the 18s field had a day off today, so watch for completion of their 18s tomorrow. The 16s finish one day early, so their finals will be on Saturday 9th December.

More from Crandon Park tomorrow ...

Kai Chen Chan


Ksenia Milevskaya


Roman Jebavy


Dragos Mirtea