Andrew Fenty scores breakthrough win in Tulsa
Saud Alhogbani claims first ITF title
Andrew Fenty and Saud Alhogbani emerged victorious in junior ITF events on the same day winning the singles crowns in Tulsa, OK and Kuwait, respectively.
Fenty entered the Pan American B1 ITF Championships seeded #1 and lived up to his status as the pre-tournament favorite.
The 17-year-old came through two tight three set matches in the quarterfinals and semifinals defeating American #10 seed Govind Nanda, and Dominican #3 seed Dominican Nick Hardt, respectively.
Fenty played his best tennis in the finals ousting compatriot Emilio Nava 6-2, 7-5 to claim his biggest title to date. The win moves him up to a career high #33 in the ITF junior world rankings.
The Washington D.C. resident is now well-positioned to challenge at the Junior Grand Slams in 2018. He gained valuable experience at the French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open in 2017 securing a number of victories including a run to the doubles quarterfinals at the All-England Club in partnership with Israeli Yshai Oliel.
Andrew Fenty – Pan American B1 ITF Champion
Saud Alhogbani has had a remarkable 2017 capturing both the USTA Boys’ 14s National Clay and Hard Courts Championships in July and August, respectively, as he dominated both draws, not dropping a set in either tournament. He also made history in April this year when the 14-year-old became the youngest player to represent Saudi Arabia in Davis Cup competition.
Alhogbani had a tough path to the title at the 11th Kuwait Grade 5 ITF junior championships at the Yarkmouk Sports Club, the headquarters of the Kuwait Tennis Federation. He was unseeded and battled passed the #5 seed, Christos-Panagiotis Daglis of Greece 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 in the opening round.
The 2016 Saudi Arabian Athlete of the Year’s play improved as he moved through the draw culminating in a convincing semifinal upset win against the top seed, Serbian Viktor Jovic, 6-2, 6-1 in before he beat Belgian Raphael Collignon 7-5, 6-1 in the championship match.
“Andrew and Saud have both reaped the rewards from all of their hard work this year and secured major breakthrough victories,” said JTCC Director of Tennis Vesa Ponkka. “The challenge for both of them now is to progress to the next level as they head into the 2018 calendar of junior ITF international events.”
Saud Alhogbani – Kuwait G5 ITF Champion
