18th December 2007
What a year ... Ricardas Berankis wins tight race for number one
by Annie Paton
While Urszula Radwanska of Poland wrapped up the girl's 2007 ITF Junior World Champion's title early on in the year, Ricardas Berankis from Lithuania prevailed on the boy's side after a nail-biting battle to the very end. He overtook Uladzimir Ignatik of Belarus, who had held the top spot for six months, at the Orange Bowl, and gained the boy's title in the last singles match of the year, at the last tournament of the year; in Yucatan, Mexico. How he did it is the talk of junior tennis.

"I think it is a great honor and I am happy to represent my country," said Ricardas, who was spotted watching a young Lithuanian player at the Boy's 14 Orange Bowl at the University of Miami yesterday. "I hope it will create some opportunities for some other kids to play tennis there and give them some extra motivation." 

We are sure all players will be inspired by the Lithuanian's never give up attitude. This year he defeated Uladzimir in the semifinals enroute to winning the grade one Canadian Open, then won the prestigious grand slam, US Open Championships in September to spiral his ranking up from 17 to 2, with only 100 points separating him from Uladzimir, the reigning number one.

At the end of November both Ricardas and Uladzimir descended on Florida for the two winter tournaments; Eddie Herr International and grade A Orange Bowl, and both registered for the last tournament of the year, Copa Yucatan grade one in Merida, Mexico.

However, after losing a tough three setter to American, Chase Buchanan in the second round at Eddie Herr and having to win the last two remaining tournaments of the year to have any chance at all, lesser mortals would have given up. Not Ricardas. He never once thought of conceding the race.

He was a game away from losing in the third set in the semifinals at the Orange Bowl to Jarmere Jenkins, who in the stifling heat suddenly began a severe body cramp and had to retire. Ricardas began thinking perhaps luck was maybe on his side after all.

In the final, Ricardas appeared more even more composed, playing as if he had no pressure at all and swinging freely to defeat his next opponent, Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria, who needed the trainer in the second set to have his left ankle taped.

"He was cramping ... so unbelievable," said Ricardas immediately after winning the Orange Bowl final and overtaking Uladzimir as the new number one in the world. "Yesterday I was 5-2 down and the guy retired; it's amazing. Maybe this tournament is for me."

Without much ado, he packed his bags to catch the one daily flight to Merida in time to play again at the Copa Yucatan in Mexico.

The world watched in suspense and the excitement built in Mexico where large crowds came to watch their night matches. However, Ricardas did not mind playing under the lights at all.

"I really enjoyed being able to sleep in a bit and the crowds at the night matches were great," he said. "There was so much energy and I think it really helped me.  I was very tired at the end and the fans' enthusiasm really helped keep me going."

When Uladzimir Ignatik lost in the quarterfinals in singles and the second round in doubles it would seem the pressure might be off a bit.

"Of course I knew it helped me but I still had to win so there wasn't too much relief," Ricardas admitted. "It was still my number one ranking to win or lose, which was good, but also put a lot of pressure on me."

In Merida he had to defend points as last year's champion, so he had absolutely no latitude for error. He had to reach the singles final and win doubles or win the singles final in order to finish the year as No. 1 player in the world. If he lost both finals, Uladzimir Ignatik would reclaim the title.

"I just tried to focus on my own game and not think about it, which seemed to work," said Ricardas. "Actually, going into the tournament, I thought I just had to get to the semifinals but after I won my semifinal match and celebrated a bit I was told that I needed to reach both singles and doubles finals and win one.  That was a short celebration!"

How the Lithuanian played under such immense pressure and expectation is amazing. He went on to win the singles final in a highly charged and thrilling three setter against Henrique Cunha of Brazil, where there were a few anxious moments after losing the second set tie break:

"I was a bit upset because I definitely let a few chances slip by but I just kept telling myself to stay calm and not think about the end," he said. "That was hard because I knew what winning the match would mean."

After winning the singles final Ricardas could finally celebrate, but being the venerable professional he is, he kept his composure to go on and win the doubles title with American, Rhyne Williams (3) over his friends, the Chileans, Guillermo Rivera Aranguiz and Ricardo Urzua Rivera (2) to the delight of a very appreciative night crowd.

"It is a very good feeling but I know I still have a lot of work to do to get to where I want to go as a pro," Ricardas said. "I will enjoy this feeling for a little bit though while I take some time off to rest."

Both Ricardas and Urszula made history by being the first player from their respective countries to be world champions.