PRINCE CUP
Back in Miami, or more specifically Miami airport, where the Prince Cup takes place. It is unnecessary to point out that the location is ideal for a tennis tournament: on the right, the airport and the constant takeoff of planes every 10 minutes, and on the left, a highway and the continuous flow of cars. Excellent conditions to learn how to concentrate.
 |  |  | Anne-Christine VOICU, the 16 year old Canadian, joins us to participate in the tournament. Fresh from her victory the week before in the ITF Junior tournament in Ecuador, she is accompanied by her coach, Mehdi DAOUKI, and Sebastian LAVIE.
Julia VAKULENKO also joined us to train with me for the Sydney and Australian Open tournaments. She is ranked 120th in the world. And finally, Renzo OLIVO, an Argentinean born in 1992, joins us belatedly due to a visa problem. We all stay at a hotel and eat dinner together every night, and I must say that the mood is excellent. The players work hard and team spirit is strong this time. Things have returned to order. |
| Julia on the training court | Sebastian LAVIE | Renzo OLIVO |
| Anne-Christine's father joins us for a few days. I meet him for the first time! We visit his truck and he even takes us for a ride in it. It is absolutely huge compared to European trucks. |  Anne Christine with her father |
| In terms of results, Loïs was forced to forfeit the qualifications due to a completely locked back. Sebastian who plays in the -16 category qualifies then loses in the first round draw. Sam and Renzo play against each other in the second round of -16 qualifications. It was a very good match with good sportsmanship from both players. Renzo wins the duel 6/3 7/6. He does not stop there however. After qualifying, he advances three rounds in the draw beating the number 2 European seed along the way.
But Sam also plays in the -16 category, and after three qualification rounds, is eliminated only during the third round draw. Same goes for Sol who gives a great performance. Maria-Andrea stops at the second round in the -12 category and Anne-Christine in the first round of the -18 category despite having given a quality match. |  |
| Lois BAUDY | Sam against Renzo |
Now the Orange Bowl awaits us!
By Laura Bilman, January 29th 2007, 12:21
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