In form, Whitney Orimoloye Ifeoluwa began the 2024 in grand style by winning the Sydney Katz Junior Open Tennis Tournament under 10 category after beating arch-rival Grace Tetteh 5-4 (4), 1-0(R). At the Accra Lawn Tennis Club.
A meeting with number one seed Grace Tetteh proved a much sterner test for Whitney Orimoloye, although one would come through with admirable composure.
Leading to their meeting this year final, Tesano sport club prodigy Grace leads head to head 2-0. After the Sydney final, its now 2-1 in favour of Grace.
In the first set, Whitney clinched the tie-break, in which Grace squandered two set points when leading 4-3, the tie-break ended 5-4(4).
This is my first title in 2024 and l’m so happy I was able to do that today,’ Whitney said.
St, Francis tennis star, Maxwell Antwi won the boys under 10 title after beating stadium tennis club’s Jeff Dowuona.
An emotional, Ethan Dzidzornu of Tema Ridge School, won the boys 12 and under category, beating TDC Tennis Club’s Bismark Sarkodie 4-0,0-4,10-7 in the final.
The Tema Ridge School star, Ethan Dzidzornu and his opponent Bismark Sarkodie traded with big blows from baseline and after serving two break points to lead 2-0, Ethan pinched Sarkodie’s serve for 3-0 before serving for out the opener. Sarkodie came back to win the second set 4-0.
In the final set, another early break put Ethan in command and sealed the victory by taking Sarkodie’s serve.“It means a lot to me,” Ethan said, after standing, arms aloft as he sealed the win.
“We put in a lot of work in many, many hours – a lot of sacrifices. It was a very nice moment for me.”
Ghana's Tennis Club upcoming star Jeffery Frimpong won the boys 14 under category title after beating Winneba based Michael Nyarko 4-1,1-4,4-2. Listowel Plommey from St. Francis Tennis Academy, Ashaiman won the boys 16 and under title.
Another trophy for St. Francis Tennis Academy where Nhyira Antwi won the girls 12 and under after defeating Akaguri 5-3,3-5,(10-7). In the girls 14 and under, Osu Based Georgette Nortey defined all odds after upsetting top seed Angel Bagerbaseh in the second round and defeated her arch-rival Phylis Kotey in the semifinals before finishing it with a win 4-1,4-2 over Philipina Sewornu.
It was a family affair in the girls 16 and under as Mbongta Awantang beat her sister Bei-neh Awantang 4-1,4-0 to win title.
The tournament organizer, Michael Nortey said, I am happy we have been able to organize the fourth edition very well. I thank all the winners. I urge all to expect something bigger in the 5th edition of Sydney Katz Open because it will be five years of the event.
