Tennis: Wanganui Junior Open starts this weekend

Palmerston North's Kobe Norris-Spring teaming with Whanganui's Mataamua Biddle-Amoroa Nicholls in the 14-and-under boys doubles at the Wanganui Junior Tennis Open last year.

Spring 2018 and the start of the Term 3 school holidays sees the return of nearly 100 players to Whanganui for the annual St Johns Club Wanganui Junior Tennis Open.

Starting tomorrow morning, five age groups will contest titles, beginning with the 10-and-under and the 14-and-under grades this weekend, followed by the 12-and-under and the 16-and-under on Monday and Tuesday,

There is also a Senior Open played over this weekend, usually involving the parents and coaches of the junior players.

Spokesman Neville Hopkins said 93 players are taking part in the Open, which adds up to 174 entries as some players are able to enter two age grades.

"Most games will be played at the Wanganui Tennis Club in Bassett St, but back-up courts are available at Whanganui High School and Whanganui Intermediate School, if wet weather rules the six hard courts at the club out of action for a while."

Most of the players, including the top seeds, come from Wellington and the Lower and Upper Hutt clubs.

"All players are guaranteed at least three singles matches and two doubles matches," said Hopkins.

The numbers are quite down, however, on the 136 players who took part in 2017, which was the second highest entry numbers of all Tennis Central regional tournaments.

Play begins at 8.30am on all four days.

"Local coach Leela Beattie is the Tournament Director and she will be supported by club members who will also man the kitchen for refreshments during the four days," said Hopkins.

The Men's Open grade singles has a full 16 player draw.

Top seeds are Jayden Harrison, a well-performed 16-year-old from Taranaki, and Daniel Alves, the 22-year-old South African playing tennis in Wellington.

They will be planning to leave with an arm load of trophies between them as they are also teaming up to be top seeds in the doubles.

Flying the Whanganui flag will be Sean Edmonds and Sam Russell.

There are four women in their Open Singles tournament, therefore they will play a round robin.

Top seed is Lower Hutt's Sophie Painter, while Whanganui's Rachel Cronin is playing the doubles with Elise Hendry from Mangaraki.

Of interest is the 10-and-under boys draw will include two girl entrants, including local Ruby McInyre playing her first tournament.

"Parents sanctioned the combined competition because of the disappointing girl entries," said Hopkins.

"Top seeds are Pascual Iniesta from Manawatu and Johnny Baird from a well-performed Wellington family, who have supported the tournament well over recent years."

The 14-and-under Boys draw has the full 16 players.

Top seed is Wellington's Sam Baird with townmate Zeno Varouhas-Poole the No 2.

Both these players performed well last year, making singles and doubles finals, and will be hard to beat.

Other players to watch are Sean Phegan from Lower Hutt and Wellington's Tom Bevan from Wellington.

The 14-and-under girls draw is also well-supported with 14 entries.

Top seed there is Mangaraki's Reagan Pine from the Mangaraki club, while local Kate Couper is having her first tournament at this level after going up an age group.

Finals for the Open and these age groups will be played on Sunday afternoon.

Then starting on Monday, the 12-and-under boys grade has 13 entries, led by Wellington's George Baird and Manawatu's Jonty Giesen from Manawatu. Whanganui's Matuaamua Biddle-Amaroa Nichols is the local hopeful.

The 12-and-under girls have defending champion Brooke Morgan from Lower Hutt and Tuhina Sambhus from Wellington as top seeds.

Finally, the 16-and-under Boys grade is the largest field with 20 entries, led by Sam Baird and Varouhas-Poole again, backing up from the 14-year grade.

In the doubles, Baird will team with Luca Campbell while Varouhas-Poole joins Henry Christie, which could make a very interesting final.

The titles for these grades should be played early Tuesday afternoon.