Boys doubles champions (from left) Eric Vanshelboim and Lancelot Carnello, losing finalists (from right) Cheng Wei Chen and Chang Tzu Li with Liew (third left) and Chin after the prize presentation.
(From left) girls doubles finalists Li Xuanjin, Zhao Cong Ying, Lim Ka Wing and Janice Tjen with their trophies.
KUCHING: Eric Vanshelboim of Ukraine and his Aussie partner Lancelot Carnello were crowned the boys doubles champions of the 32nd Sarawak Chief Minister’s Cup (II) ITF Junior Circuit (Grade 3) tennis championship at SLTA Tennis Centre yesterday.
The top seeds shrugged off the strong resistance of surprise package Chang Tzu Li and Cheng Wei Chen of Chinese Taipei to win 7-5, 6-2 in the final that lasted one hour and 15 minutes.
Earlier in the semifinals, Vanshelboim-Carnello beat Australian pair Casey Hoole-Cooper White also in straight sets 6-3, 6-3.
Vanshelboim is in line for another title as the boys singles top seed will play fifth seed Cooper White in today’s final.
He beat 13th seed Japan’s Hikaru Takeda 6-3, 6-1 while White defeated eighth seed Carl Emil Overbeck 6-1, 6-4 in the semifinals.
Meanwhile, the girls singles final will be an all-Indonesian affair with top seed Priska Madelyn Nugroho up against fifth seed Janice Tjen.
Priska had no problem in disposing of semi-final opponent Zhao Cong Ying 6-2, 6-0 while Janice was made to sweat before overcoming Hong Kong’s Sheena Jade Masuda Karrasch 6-1, 4-6, 6-4.
In the girls doubles final played in the afternoon, Janice combined with Lin Ka Wing of Hong Kong against Chinese Li Xuanjin and Zhao Cong Ying but lost 4-6, 6-4 (7-10).
Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association president Dato Patrick Liew Chin Joon, accompanied by secretary Bernard Chin and treasurer Kho Siak Koi, gave away the trophies.