Saud Alhogbani and Robin Montgomery win singles championships
Saud Alhogbani – USTA Boys’ 14s National Hard Court Champion
Saud Alhogbani and Robin Montgomery emerged victorious in the 256-draws at the USTA National 14s Hard Courts in Mobile, AL and Rome, GA, respectively.
Alhogbani has had a remarkable summer run—capturing both the USTA National 14s Clay Court Championship in July and the Hard Courts last week dominating both draws by not dropping a set in either tournament. He now has a 14-match national championship win streak.
Alhogbani’s closest contest came in the finals where after a tight first set against #17 seed Ben Shelton, he eased away to a 7-5, 6-3 win.
The 2016 Saudi Arabian Athlete of the Year’s success ensured he matched his summer 2015 achievements when he claimed the Boys’ 12s Singles titles at both the National Clay and Hard Court Championships.
Alhogbani also made history in April this year when the 14-year-old became the youngest player to represent Saudi Arabia in Davis Cup competition.
“Saud has reaped the rewards from all of his hard work this year,” said JTCC Director of Tennis Vesa Ponkka. “The challenge for him now is to test his game against older boys as he begins to play more junior ITF international events.”
Twelve-year-old Robin Montgomery celebrated a nearly simultaneous victory with Alhogbani taking home the USTA National 14s Singles Hard Court Championship.
Robin Montgomery – USTA Girls’ 14s National Hard Court Champion
Montgomery, seeded #17, lost one set in seven rounds in her 3-6, 6-1, 6-3 second round win over Soren Leichter, but lifted her play to defeat Elaine Chervinsky 6-3, 6-1 in the semifinals and then overwhelmed #33 seed Reese Brantmeier 6-0, 6-1 in the finals.
The victory over Brantmeier secured Montgomery’s first national singles title following closely on the heels of her first national title when she won the USTA National Girls’ 14s Doubles Clay Court Championship in Plantation, FL in July.
Montgomery has been consistently showing improvement at national championships after finishing as runner up at the 2016 USTA National Girls’ 12s Singles Clay Court and taking third place at the 2016 USTA National 12s Hard Court Championships.
“Robin’s success is an outstanding success story as she has progressed from learning the game as a participant in our GEICO Game On! Community outreach program to becoming a national champion,” said JTCC CEO Ray Benton. “We are all excited to watch her to continue to develop on and off the court in the coming years.
