News

20/01/12

Matic Podlipnik and Lian Benedejcic won the under 12 Slovenian Indoors National Championship

Matic Podlipnik and Lian Benedejcic, both Smrikva Bowl players, became the Slovenian National Champions in the under 12 age group…

The Championship has just been concluded and I was happy to learn from Matic’s father that he won the National Championship… both in single and in doubles…

Matic is already an old Smrikva friend and he use to come with his tennis friends and on his own to enjoy tennis at Smrikve with me and I with him and his friends ;)…

I was pleased to learn that all the finalist were former Smrikva Bowl players…

In the finals Matic Podlipnik defeated Jan Kupcic, another former Smrikva Bowl player, with result 7:6, 6:2… and in doubles Matic and Jan played together and won the National Championship of doubles…

In the girls’ finals Lian Benedejcic defeated Kristina Novak with result 3:6, 6:3, 6:3…

In doubles Lian Benedejcic played with Anja Gal, another Smrikva Bowl player…

Congratulations to all Smrikva players for this little step!… and I am pleased to re-publish the article I wrote on 29th of October 2009 when I brought Matic to visit the Oldest Linden Tree in Istria… I enjoyed that trip and I am pleased to recall it… just to honour the memory and combine it with this nice moment… :)

MATIC PODLIPNIK VISITED SMRIKVE LAST WEEKEND AND VISITED THE OLDEST ISTRIAN LINDEN TREE

Matic Podlipnik is one of the most talented under 10 tennis players from Maribor (Slovenia). This summer he visited Smrikve with his trainer Tine Pufic from ZTK Maribor.

Last weekend Matic came back to Smrikve with his family and we made a small tour in order to visit some lovely Istrian places and enjoy the Istrian gastronomy.

We visited Krsan, Motovun, Slum and in end Hum where the most famous Istrian brandy festival was held.

In Motovun we had launch in Konoba Mondo that was celebrated in a recent New York Times article as one of the best restaurants in the World and the food was really good.

Later on I made a surprise to Matic and his family and brought them to visit a small village named Slum.

Slum is famous in Istria for the oldest linden tree. Matic’s surname is Podlipnik that means “under the linden tree” thus I made them a surprise and brought them to visit the oldest Istrian linden tree :).

I told to Matic that after our launch in Motovun we will go to visit his surname and he thought that it was a joke. Later on I asked him what he expect and he said probably another old town similar to those we visited and in end the surprise was there… :)

The huge and old linden tree is located nearby the Romanesque Church of St. Mathews from 1870. The current church was built on the site of an older church from 1555. It has been written that the church was built near the big linden tree thus it is likely that this linden tree could be at least five centuries old.

Djordje Balasevic wrote a very nice song about three people that were planting a linden tree and let a young boy to watch the moment when they were planting it. It is a nice song that I am pleased to share with all the Smrikva people that can understand it.

Jednom su sadili lipu (Djordje Balasevic)

Jednom su sadili lipu,
Stari Nestorov, gos’n Ceda i jos jedan.
Bio sam nov u tom stripu,
Komsijin mali kog su pustili da gleda.

Stari Nestorov, potpalivsi korov,
Tad rece mi: “Ti si mlad…
Ti ces dospeti za taj hlad…”

…

Jednom su palili lisce,
Sa one lipe, dim je lebdeo do neba
Na kom su, nema ih vise,
Stari Nestorov, gos’n Ceda i jos jedan…

Ko nije drvo razumeo prvo,
Pa tek onda sadio
Taj nije nista uradio…

I, shvatice, kad-tad, da ne zna sta je hlad.

Please visit www.smrikve.com to learn more about Smrikve, Istria from Smrikve, Smrikva Bowl, one of the most important under 10 tennis tournaments in the World, and Villa Smrikve, for your accommodation with swimming pool in Stinjan (Pula – Pola) if you decide to spent your holiday in Istria, Croatia.

20/01/12

Smrikva Bowl players on Croatian Indoors under 14 National Championship 2012: Zvonimir Oreskovic (winner and National Champion), Nina Alibalic (winner and National Champion)

Croatian Indoors under 14 National Championship 2012 was held last week at the National Tennis Center in Zagreb and Zvonimir Oreskovic and Nina Alibalic... both former Smrikva Bowl players… were crowned the under 14 Croatian National Champions 2012…

Their roads towards the victory of Zvonimir and Nina was the following:

Zvonimir ORESKOVIC (CRO) – 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008
1st round: Zvonimir Oreskovic – Borna Seatovic 6:0, 6:0
2nd round: Zvonimir Oreskovic – Ivan Levar 6:0, 6:2
Quarterfinals: Zvonimir Oreskovic – Matija Selak 6:3, 6:2
Semifinals: Zvonimir Oreskovic – Toni Simonovic w.o.
Finals: Zvonimir Oreskovic – Borna Gojo 6:4, 6:4

There were many other former Smrikva Bowl boys I recognized in the Main Draw: Toni Simonovic (semifinals), Jakov Martinis (semifinals), Karlo Divkovic (quarterfinals), Matija Selak (quarterfinals), Karlo Suevich (2nd round), Borna Cilic Kraljevic (2nd round), Roko Savin (2nd round),
Matko Varga (1st round), Karlo Kranic (1st round), Renzo Paro (1st round), Andrej Omeragic (1st round), Marko Boltuzic (1st round), Borna Seatovic (1st round).

Nina ALIBALIC (CRO) – 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 player
1st round: Nina Alibalic – Roberta Krvajica 6:2, 6:0
2nd round: Nina Alibalic – Ena Delibegovic 6:3, 7:5
Quarterfinals: Nina Alibalic – Ena Babic 6:0, 7:5
Semifinals: Nina Alibalic – Marija Curnic 2:6, 6:3, 6:3
Finals: Nina Alibalic – Miriam Siljic 6:4, 6:2

Miriam Siljic (finals), Marija Curnic (semifinals), Petra Granic (quarterfinals), Ana Biskic (2nd round), Ena Delibegovic (2nd round), Andja Claudia Karanusic (2nd round), Petra Pupic (1st round), Martina Bokulic (1st round),
Neli Sunjic (1st round), Dea Lako (1st round).

Congratulations to all the Smrikva boys and girls… for their little steps in the long trip of the tennis virtue discovering… :)...

12/01/12

Top Smrikva Bowl and "Little Mo"/Smrikva Bowl players on ATP, WTA, ITF, USTA and European under 14 and 16 ranking lists (update January 2012)

Former top Smrikva Bowl players that reached certain results on the professional ranking list are mentioned below and the top Smrikva Bowl players that are still competing…

IN 1996 SMRIKVA BOWL GATHERED TOP PLAYERS FROM ISTRIA AND KVARNER (1st Smrikva Bowl)

BOYS
Vilim Visak, 1st Smrikva Bowl 1996 winner, from Croatia. Vilim’s best ranking was #612 in March 2006.

IN 1997 SMRIKVA BOWL GATHERED TOP PLAYERS FROM CROATIA (1997 – 2nd Smrikva Bowl)

GIRLS
Ivana Lisjak, 2nd Smrikva Bowl 1997 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #557 on WTA list. Ivana’s best ranking was #95 on WTA list in June 2006.

IN 1998 SMRIKVA BOWL STARTED TO BE INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT (3rd Smrikva Bowl)

1999 – 4th Smrikva Bowl

GIRLS
Astrid Besser, 4th Smrikva Bowl 1999 winner, from Italy, her best ranking was #356 on WTA list in March 2009.

2000 – 5th Smrikva Bowl

GIRLS
Tereza MRDEZA, 5th Smrikva Bowl 2000 winner, from Croatia, is currently ranked #270 on WTA list.

2001 – 6th Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Marin Draganja, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #1282 on ATP ranking list.
Dino Marcan, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #354 on ATP ranking list.

GIRLS
Petra MARTIC, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #52 on WTA list (TOP 100 WTA). Petra’s best raning was #47 on WTA list in September 2011.
Indire Akiki, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #500 on WTA list.

IN 2002 SMRIKVA BOWL STARTED TO BE A EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP

2002 – 7th Smrikva Bowl and 1st”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Javier MARTI, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 winner, from Spain, is currently ranked #181 on ATP list.
Giacomo Miccini, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Italy, was ranked #1039 on ATP list in May 2009.

GIRLS
Martina Caregaro, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 winner, from Italy, is ranked #438 on WTA ranking list.
Ajla TOMLJANOVIC, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #150 on WTA list.
Ema BURGIC, ranked 3rd on 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #946 on WTA list, her best ranking was #505 on WTA list in July 2010.

2003 – 8th Smrikva Bowl and 2nd”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Dominic THIEM, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner, from Austria, is ranked #639 on ATP ranking list. Junior ROLAND GARROS 2011 finalist, Eddie Herr International and Junior Orange Bowl under 18 winner.
George MORGAN, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Great Britain, is ranked #726 on ATP ranking list. Junior US OPEN 2011 semifinalist.
Ciprian PORUMB, ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, from Romenia, was ranked #195 on ITF ranking list in March 2010.

GIRLS
Jennifer Ren, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner, from Great Britain, not currently ranked on WTA list.
Silvia NJIRIC, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #584 on WTA list.
Ajla TOMLJANOVIC, ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, from Croatia, is ranked #150 on WTA list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Emmett EGGER, played 2nd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #76 on ITF ranking list (TOP 100 ITF).

2004 – 9th Smrikva Bowl and 3rd”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Ivan Levar, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #497 on ITF ranking list.
Miki JANKOVIC, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #24 on ITF ranking list (TOP 100 ITF) and is ranked #872 on ATP ranking list.
Filip VEGER, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 semifinalist, from Croatia, is ranked #60 on ITF ranking list (TOP 100 ITF)
Danil ZELENKOV, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 player, from FYR Macedonia, is ranked #84 on ITF ranking list (TOP 100 ITF)

GIRLS
Saska GAVRILOVSKA, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 winner, from Serbia, is ranked #652 on WTA ranking list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Mitchel POLNET, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #215 on ITF ranking list.

Blair SHANKLE, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #133 on ITF ranking list.
Anna MAMALAT, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #522 on ITF ranking list.

IN 2005 SMRIKVA BOWL GATHERED TOP PLAYERS FROM 3 CONTINENTS

2005 – 10th Smrikva Bowl and 4th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Matteo DONATI, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 winner, from Italy, is ranked #94 on ITF ranking list (TOP 100 ITF).
Laslo DJERE, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #59 on ITF ranking list (TOP 100 ITF).
Gianluigi QUINZI, ranked 3rd on 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005, from Italy, is ranked #26 on ITF ranking list (TOP 100 ITF).
Nikola MILOJEVIC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 Consolation tournament winner, from Serbia, is ranked #7 on ITF ranking list (TOP 10 ITF).
Borna CORIC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Croatia, is ranked #39 on ITF ranking list (TOP 100 ITF).
Franko MIOCIC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Croatia, is ranked #77 on ITF ranking list (TOP 100 ITF).

GIRLS
Saska GAVRILOVSKA, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 winner, from Serbia, is ranked #652 on WTA ranking list.
Olga IANCHUK, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Ukraine, is ranked #574 on WTA list.
Irina Maria BARA, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Romania, is ranked #88 on ITF ranking list (TOP 100 ITF).
Donna VEKIC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Croatia, is ranked #396 on WTA list and is ranked #23 on ITF ranking list (TOP 100 ITF).
Iva MEKOVEC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Croatia, is ranked #52 on ITF ranking list (TOP 100 ITF).

“Little Mo” TEAM
Jeffrey Schorsch, played 4th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is not ranked on ITF ranking list.
Jose Gracia, played 4th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is not ranked on ITF ranking list.
Yale Goldberg, played 4th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is not ranked on ITF ranking list.

Dorothy Tang, played 4th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is not ranked on ITF ranking list.

2006 – 11th Smrikva Bowl and 5th”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Gianluigi QUINZI, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner, from Italy, is ranked #26 on ITF ranking list (TOP 100 ITF) and is ranked #1797 on ATP list.

GIRLS
Eleanor DEAN, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner, from Great Britain, is ranked #117 on ITF ranking list and #727 on WTA ranking list.
Ilka CSOREGI, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 semifinalists, from Romania, is ranked #16 on ITF ranking list (TOP 100 ITF)

“Little Mo” TEAM
Daniel Maese, played 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is still not ranked on ITF ranking list.
Aries Wong, played 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is still not ranked on ITF ranking list.

Christina MAKAROVA, played 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #46 on ITF ranking list (TOP 100 ITF).
Gabriella Umoquit, played 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is still not ranked on ITF ranking list.

2007 – 12th Smrikva Bowl and 6th”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Sacha MERZETTI, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 winner, from Italy, is ranked #148 in Europe in under 16 cathegory.
Bogdan BORZA, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up, from Romania, is ranked #3 in Europe in under 16 cathegory (TOP 10 TE U16).
Gonzalo MORELL, ranked 3rd on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Spain, is ranked #212 in Europe in under 16 cathegory.
Sergiu BUCUR, ranked 4th on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Romania, is ranked #45 in Europe in under 16 cathegory.

GIRLS
Ana KONJUH, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #6 in Europe in under 16 cathegory (TOP 10 TE U16).
Nina POTOCNIK, ranked 3rd on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Slovenia, is ranked #42 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Eduardo NAVA, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #70 in the USA in under 16 cathegory.
Tommy PAUL, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #535 in the USA in under 16 cathegory.

Ndindi NDUNDA, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #36 in the USA in under 16 cathegory.
Domonique Garley, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #739 in the USA in under 16 cathegory.

IN 2008 SMRIKVA BOWL GATHERED TOP PLAYERS FROM 5 CONTINENTS AND TURNED INTO A WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

2008 – 13th Smrikva Bowl and 7th”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Luka PANIC, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 winner, from Switzerland, is ranked #133 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Mihnea TURCU, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 runner up, from Romania, is ranked #169 in Europe in under 14 european ranking list.
Grega KOKALJ, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Slovenia, is ranked #123 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Andrea Guerrieri, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Italy, is ranked #382 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

GIRLS
Katarina JOKIC, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 winner, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #7 in Europe in under 14 cathegory (TOP 10 TE U14).
Maia LUMSDEN, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 runner up, from Scotland, is ranked #15 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Viktoria KUZMOVA, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Slovakia, is ranked #3 in Europe in under 14 cathegory (TOP 10 TE U14).
Estela Perez-Somarriba, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Spain, is ranked #451 on under 14 european ranking list.
Olga FRIDMAN, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 player, from Ukraine, is ranked #1 in Europe in under 14 cathegory (TOP 10 TE U14).
Nikolina JOVIC, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 player, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #8 in Europe in under 14 cathegory (TOP 10 TE U14).

“Little Mo” TEAM
Justin LEE, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #98 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
William BLUMBERG, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #55 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.

Ingrid NEEL, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #658 in the USA in under 16 cathegory.
Paulina Ferrari, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #78 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.

IN 2009 SMRIKVA BOWL HAD 6 NEW COUNTRIES AND 1 NEW CONTINENT THUS REACHED THE TOTAL OF 40 COUNTRIES AND 6 CONTINENTS THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE TOURNAMENT SINCE ITS FOUNDATION

2009 – 14th Smrikva Bowl and 8th”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Alvaro REGALADO PEDROL, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 winner, from Spain, is ranked #150 in under 14 european ranking.
Samuele RAMAZZOTTI, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 runner up, from Italy, is ranked #17 in under 14 european ranking.
Karlo SUEVICH, ranked 3rd on 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009, from Slovenia, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Alejandro DAVIDOVICH, ranked 3rd on 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009, from Spain, is ranked #226 in under 14 european ranking.
Alexei POPYRIN, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 Consolation Draw winner, from Australia, is ranked #28 in under 14 european ranking.

GIRLS
Katie SWAN, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 winner, from United Kingdom, is ranked #128 in under 14 european ranking.
Jovana VUKOVIC – JOKA, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 runner up, from Serbia, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Inci OGUT, ranked 3rd on 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009, from Turkey, is ranked #58 in under 14 european ranking.
Arianna CAPOGROSSO, ranked 3rd on 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009, from Italy, is ranked #36 in under 14 european ranking.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Noah SCHACHTER, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #6 in the USA in under 12 cathegory (TOP 10 USTA U12).
Alex GEE, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #14 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.

Michaela GORDON, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #5 in the USA in under 12 cathegory (TOP 10 USTA U12).
Ashley LAHEY, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #48 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.

IN 2010 SMRIKVA BOWL HAD 9 NEW COUNTRIES AND REACHED THE TOTAL OF 49 COUNTRIES THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE TOURNAMENT SINCE ITS FOUNDATION

2010 – 15th Smrikva Bowl and 9th”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Nicola KUHN, 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 winner, from Spain, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Karlo SUEVICH, 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 runner up, from Croatia, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Yshai OLIEL, ranked 3rd on 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010, from Israel, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Andrei Taica Radu, ranked 3rd on 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010, from Romania, is too young for under 14 european ranking.

GIRLS
Jovana VUKOVIC, 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 winner, from Serbia, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Paula Arias Manjon, 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 runner up, from Spain, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Neli SUNJIC, ranked 3rd on 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010, from Croatia, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Kristina NOVAK, ranked 3rd on 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010, from Italy, is too young for under 14 european ranking.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Max Motlagh, played 9th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #109 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.

Claire LIU, played 9th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #6 in the USA in under 12 cathegory (TOP 10 USTA U12).
Alexa Butera, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #85 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.

IN 2011 SMRIKVA BOWL HAD 4 NEW COUNTRIES AND REACHED THE TOTAL OF 53 COUNTRIES THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE TOURNAMENT SINCE ITS FOUNDATION

2011 – 16th Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Duje AJDUKOVIC, 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 winner, from Croatia, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Mihailo POPOVIC, 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 runner up, from Serbia, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Alejandro Serrano Osoba, ranked 3rd on 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011, from Spain, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Stipan Madzar, ranked 3rd on 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011, from Croatia, is too young for under 14 european ranking.

GIRLS
Olga DANILOVIC, 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 winner, from Serbia, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Ksenija Tmusic, 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 runner up, from Serbia, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Emilija Kojcic, ranked 3rd on 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011, from Serbia, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Betina TOKAC, ranked 3rd on 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011, from Turkey, is too young for under 14 european ranking.

08/01/12

Smrikva Bowl players on Croatian Indoors under 12 National Championship 2012: Neli Sunjic (winner and National Champion), Andja Claudia Karanusic (runner up), Duje Ajdukovic (winner and National Champion) and Borna Seatovic (runner up)

Croatian Indoors under 12 National Championship 2012 was held last week at the National Tennis Center in Zagreb and many Smrikva Bowl kids did more than well…

The former Smrikva girls who did best were:

Neli Sunjic – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 semifinalist – the winner and Croatian Indoors 2012 National Champion under 12
Andja Claudia Karanusic – runner up
Karla Kilic – semifinals
Iva Zelic – quarterfinals
Lea Jurkovic – quarterfinals

...while the best former Smrikva boys are the following:

Duje Ajdukovic – 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 winner – the winner and Croatian Indoors 2012 National Champion
Borna Seatovic – runner up
Karlo Suevich – semifinals
Stipan Madzar – semifinals

For detailed results of the Smrikva Bowl players on Croatian Indoors under 12 National Championship 2012 visit the following:

GIRLS

Neli Sunjic (CRO) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 semifinalist
1st round: Neli Sunjic – Jelena Barun 6:0, 6:0
2nd round: Neli Sunjic – Karla Kukina Gradecak 6:1, 6:0
Quarterfinals: Neli Sunjic – Tamara Luzija 6:0, 6:1
Semifinals: Neli Sunjić – Lorena Gavric 6:3, 6:1
Finals: Neli Sunjic – Andja Claudia Karanusic 2:6, 7:5, 6:4

Andja Claudia Karanusic (CRO) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010
1st round: Andja Claudia Karanusic – Iva Krivic 6:2, 6:2
2nd round: Andja Claudia Karanusic – Leonarda Bagarić 6:0, 6:1
Quarterfinals: Andja Claudia Karanusic – Lea Jurkovic 6:1, 6:0
Semifinals: Andja Claudia Karanusic – Karla Kilic 6:3, 6:4
Finals: Andja Claudia Karanusic – Neli Sunjic 6:2, 5:7, 4:6

Karla Kilic (CRO) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010
1st round: Karla Kilic – Gracia Osterman 6:1, 6:1
2nd round: Karla Kilic – Ema Siljic 7:5, 6:4
Quarterfinals: Karla Kilic – Doris Pticek 7:6, 2:6, 7:6
Semifinals: Karla Kilic – Andja Claudia Karanusic 3:6, 4:6

Iva Zelic (CRO) – 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011
1st round: Iva Zelic – Ivana Pakrac 6:0, 6:1
2nd round: Iva Zelic – Tea Lovrekovic 6:0, 6:1
Quarterfinals: Iva Zelic – Lorena Gavric 4:6, 3:6

Lea Jurkovic (CRO) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010
1st round: Lea Jurkovic – Maja Koenigshofer 6:4, 6:4
2nd round: Lea Jurkovic – Ema Matjacic 4:6, 6:4, 6:3
Quarterfinals: Lea Jurkovic – Andja Klaudia Karanusic 1:6, 0:6

Ema Siljic (CRO) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010
1st round: Ema Siljic – Petra Vracevic 6:2, 6:0
2nd round: Ema Siljic – Karla Kilic 5:7, 4:6

Lana Brezanin (CRO) – 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011
1st round: Lana Brezanin – Nika Lovrekovic 6:1, 6:0
2nd round: Lana Brezanin – Doris Pticek 4:6, 0:6

Katarina Duic Plumtree (CRO) – 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011
1st round: Katarina Duic Plumtree – Laa Sipek 2:6, 0:6

Kornelia Huncak (CRO) – 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011
1st round: Kornelia Huncak – Tea Lovrekovic 6:4, 3:6, 2:6

Borna Mohac (CRO) – 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011
1st round: Borna Mohac – Tamara Luzija 2:6, 3:6

Petra Vracevic (CRO) – 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011
1st round: Petra Vracevic – Ema Siljic 2:6, 0:6

Ines Peric (CRO) – 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011
1st round: Ines Peric – Doris Pticek 2:6, 2:6

BOYS UNDER 12

Duje Ajdukovic (CRO) – 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 winner
1st round: Duje Ajdukovic – Antun Katanec 6:2, 6:2
2nd round: Duje Ajdukovic – Vid Kovacic 6:3, 6:3
Quarterfinals: Duje Ajdukovic – Leon Kos 6:1, 6:1
Semifinals: Duje Ajdukovic – Karlo Suevich 1:6, 6:4, 6:2
Finals: Duje Ajdukovic – Borna Seatovic 6:4, 6:2

Borna Seatovic (CRO) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010
1st round: Borna Seatovic – Ivan Pozgaj 6:0, 6:0
2nd round: Borna Seatovic – Borna Devald 6:1, 6:1
Quarterfinals: Borna Seatovic – Mauro Pjevic 6:4, 6:2
Semifinals: Borna Seatovic – Stipan Madzar 6:2, 6:1
Finals: Borna Seatovic – Duje Ajdukovic 4:6, 2:6

Karlo Suevich (CRO) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 runner up
1st round: Karlo Suevich – Ivan Pintaric 6:3, 6:0
2nd round: Karlo Suevich – Lovro Suevich 6:0, 6:0
Quarterfinals: Karlo Suevich – Bruno Sušak 6:1, 6:0
Semifinals: Karlo Suevich – Duje Ajdukovic 6:1, 4:6, 2:6

Stipan Madzar (CRO) – 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 semifinalist
1st round: Stipan Madzar – Mario Goluza 6:3, 6:0
2nd round: Stipan Madzar – Leon Jukic 6:2, 6:4
Quarterfinals: Stipan Madzar – Filip Saler 6:1, 6:2
Semifinals: Stipan Madzar – Borna Seatovic 2:6, 1:6

Lovro Suevich (CRO) – 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011
1st round: Lovro Suevich – Bozo Barun 6:1, 4:6, 6:0
2nd round: Lovro Suevich – Karlo Suevich 0:6, 0:6

Grgo Dujmovic (CRO) – 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011
1st round: Grgo Dujmovic – Tin Dizdarevic 6:3, 6:1
2nd round: Grgo Dujmovic – Leon Kos 7:5, 2:6, 6:7

Matija Volarevic (CRO) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010
1st round: Matija Volarevic – Marko Zalukar 6:3, 6:1
2nd round: Matija Volarevic – Filip Saler 2:6, 4:6

Leon Jukic (CRO) – 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011
1st round: Leon Jukic – Filip Jarnjak 5:7, 6:0, 6:1
2nd round: Leon Jukic – Stipan Madzar 2:6, 4:6

Bozo Barun (CRO) – 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011
1st round: Bozo Barun – Lovro Suevich 1:6, 6:4, 0:6

Ivan Brajko (CRO) – 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011
1st round: Ivan Brajko – Filip Saler 2:6, 4:6

Congratulations to all the former Smrikva boys and girls… for their little steps in the long trip of the tennis virtue discovering… :)...

06/01/12

Smrikva Bowl players on 28th Lemon Bowl 2012 edition: Riccardo Perin (winner u-12), Giulia Peoni (winner u-12), Gian Marco Moroni (winner u-16), Ena Kajevic (winner u-16), Helene Pellicano (runner up u-10), Costanza Traversi (runner up u-12)...

Lemon Bowl is a traditional international tournament played in Rome (Italy) since 1985. It is played in several age groups starting from under 8 till under 18 years of age.

There are several Smrikva Bowl players that made extraordinary results on this year edition:

Hellene Pellicano – runner up under 10

Giulia Peoni – winner under 12
Costanza Traversa – runner up under 12
Riccardo Perin – winner under 12
Manuele Micca – semifinals under 12
Edoardo Cecere – quarterfinals under 12
Marco Furlanetto – quarterfinals under 12

Ena Kajevic – winner under 16
Gian Marco Moroni – winner under 16

Filippo Saloli – semifinals under 18

For detailed results of the Smrikva Bowl players on the 28th Lemon Bowl 2012 edition visit the following:

UNDER 10:

GIRLS UNDER 10

Helene Pellicano (Mt) – 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 player
1st round: Helene Pellicano – CAROLINA MORI (ITA) 6:1, 6:0
2nd round: Helene Pellicano – MARTINA FORCISI (ITA) 6:3, 6:0
Quarterfinals: H. Pellicano – VERONICA MASCOLO (ITA) 6:4,6:1
Semifinals: Helene Pellicano – CHIARA GIRELLI (ITA) 6:4, 6:4
Finals: Helene Pellicano-MATILDE PAOLETTI (ITA) 4:6,7:6,7:9

UNDER 12:

GIRLS UNDER 12

Giulia Peoni (Ita) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 player
1st round: Giulia Peoni – ALICE AMENDOLA (I) 6:2, 6:2
2nd round: Giulia Peoni – PAOLA CIABATTONI (I) 6:3, 6:3
Quarterfinals: Giulia Peoni – GIULIA CARBONARO (I) 6:4, 6:3
Semifinals: Giulia Peoni – LISA PICCINETTI (I) 3:6, 6:3, 7:6
Finals: Giulia Peoni – COSTANZA TRAVERSI (I) 6:2, 6:2

Costanza Traversi (Ita) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 player
1st round: Costanza Traversi – VITTORIA ROTONDO (I) 6:0, 6:0
2nd round: Costanza Traversi – CATERINA STELLA (I) 6:0, 6:3
Quarterfinals: Costanza Traversi – V.URELLI RINALDI (I) 6:3, 6:0
Semifinals: Costanza Traversi – E. COCCIARETTO (I) 6:3, 6:1
Finals: Costanza Traversi – PEONI GIULIA (I) 2:6, 2:6

BOYS UNDER 12

Riccardo Perin (Ita) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 player
1st round: Riccardo Perin – TOMMASO LIPPI (I) 7:5, 6:0
2nd round: Riccardo Perin – GIANMARCO ORTENZI (I) 6:2, 6:1
Quarterfinals: Riccardo Perin – ERIK DE SANTIS (I) 6:3, 6:4
Semifinals: Riccardo Perin – MANUELE MICCA (I) 7:6, 6:1
Finals: Riccardo Perin – ALESSIO DE BERNARDIS (I) 6:1, 6:2

Manuele Micca (Ita) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 player
1st round: Manuele Micca – GIANNICOLA MISASI (I) 6:0, 6:4
2nd round: Manuele Micca – RICCARDO DI NOCERA (I) 6:1, 7:6
Quarterfinals: Manuele Micca – EDOARDO CECERE (I) 6:3, 6:4
Semifinals: Manuele Micca – RICCARDO PERIN (I) 6:7, 1:6

Edoardo Cecere (Ita) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 player
1st round: Edoardo Cecere – ANDREY VOROBYEV (RUS) 7:5, 6:3
2nd round: Edoardo Cecere – GIOVANNI SOLARINO (I) 6:0, 6:1
Quarterfinals: Edoardo Cecere – MANUELE MICCA (I) 3:6, 4:6

Marco Furlanetto (Ita) – 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 player
1st round: Marco Furlanetto – AMEDEO CENTOFANTI (I) 6:2, 6:3
2nd round: Marco Furlanetto – LUCA CHECCHIA ADELL (I) 7:5,6:3
Quarterfinals: Marco Furlanetto – A.DE BERNARDIS (I) 3:6, 5:7

Riccardo di Nocera (Ita) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 player
1st round: Riccardo di Nocera – NICOLO’ PES (I) 6:3, 6:0
2nd round: Riccardo di Nocera – MANUELE MICCA (I) 1:6, 6:7

Arslan Kellou (Fra) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 player
1st round: Arslan Kellou – NICOLA BUFFO (I) 6:4, 3:6, 5:7

UNDER 14:

BOYS UNDER 14

Mathias Bulanti (Esp) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 player
1st round: Mathias Bulanti – ANDREA PICCHIONE (I) 2:6, 6:3, 3:6

UNDER 16:

GIRLS UNDER 16

Ena Kajevic (Cro) – 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 player
1st round: Ena Kajevic – ADRIANA ZECCHINO (I) 6:2, 6:1
2nd round: Ena Kajevic – ISABELLA BIZZO (I) 6:1, 6:3
Quarterfinals: Ena Kajevic – VITTORIA CUTINI (I) 6:1, 6:4
Semifinals: Ena Kajevic – GIULIA PORZIO (I) 6:3, 6:1
Finals: Ena Kajevic – GIULIA CASCAPERA (I) 6:1, 6:2

BOYS UNDER 16

Gian Marco Moroni (Cro) – 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 player
1st round: Gian Marco Moroni – ROBERTO FABBIANO (I) 6:0, 6:1
2nd round: Gian Marco Moroni – FILIPPO PALUMBO (I) 6:1, 7:5
Quarterfinals: G. Moroni – ROBERTO PEPE (I) 6:1, 4:6, 6:0
Semifinals: Gian Marco Moroni – BERNABE’ ZAPATA (Esp) 6:4, 7:5
Finals: Gian Marco Moroni – SAMUELE GALLI (I) ND

UNDER 18:

BOYS UNDER 18

Filippo Saloli (Ita) – 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 player
1st round: Filippo Saloli – ALESSANDRO DUMITRACHE (I) 6:0, 6:0
2nd round: Filippo Saloli – ROBERTO VECCHI (I) 7:5, 6:2
Quarterfinals: Filippo Saloli – FEDERICO TERRENI (I) nd
Semifinals: Filippo Saloli – UMBERTO PREZIOSO (I) 6:7,6:1,3:6

23/12/11

2012 Best wishes... Sve najljepše... Auguri... :))

Far away… in the sunshine there might be hidden Smrikva Bowl kids and ours highest aspirations… many of us may never reach them, but we can all look up and see their beauty, believe in dreams… and try to follow where they lead… overall enjoying the trip… and never forgetting that for someone we are the sunshine simply the way
we are…

Best wishes!

Daleko… u svjetlosnim zrakama sunca se možda skrivaju najviše aspiracije djece Smrikve, a i nas samih… mnogi od nas ih možda nikada neće dostići, ali svi možemo gledati gore i prepoznati njihovu ljepotu, vjerovati u nadu… i pokušati slijediti gdje nas vodi… uživajući u putovanjima spoznaje… a svakako upamtiti da smo za ponekoga baš mi ta svjetlosna zraka jednostavno onakvi kakvi jesmo…

Sve najljepše!

Molto lontano… nei raggi della luce del sole potrebbero essere nascoste le aspirazioni piu’ alte di molti bambini dello Smrikva e di noi stessi… molti di noi potrebbero mai raggiungerle, pero tutti possiamo guardare in alto ed ammirare la loro bellezza, credere in nostri sogni… e tentare di seguirli… gustandoci il viaggio… e non dimenticandoci che per qualcuno siamo noi stessi la luce
semplicemente cosi’ come siamo…

Auguri!

Mimi de “La Bottega” di Smrikve

21/12/11

Smrikva Bowl players on 50th Junior Orange Bowl 2011: 37 Smrikva Bowl names in the Main Draws out of 512... Claire Liu - the under 12 winner, Ivana Jorovic - semifinals. Quarterfinalsts: Popyrin, Paul, Biskic, Rosca, Konjuh

I was pleased to recognize a lot of former Smrikva Bowl players names on Eddie Herr International, NIKE Junior MASTER, “Little Mo” International, and I am also pleased to recognize Smrikva Bowl players names on this year 50th Junior Orange Bowl 2011 – International Tennis Championship.

Mr. Eddie Herr was a tennis visionary who developed the international junior tournament circuit. In 1947, hoping to provide her daughter Suzanne with an opportunity to compete over the December school holidays, Mr. Herr conceived and organized the first Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships.

The Junior Orange Bowl International Tennis Championship has a rich history of bringing some of the world’s most promising young tennis players to South Florida, including Juan Martin Del Potro (2002 champion in 14U). The roster also has included Andy Roddick, Andre Agassi, Justine Henin, Kim Clijsters, Monica Seles, Chris Evert, Jim Courier and Mary Jo Fernandez…

...and I am pleased to recall that last year George Morgan, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, won the under 18 age group, while this year Dominic Thiem, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner, won the under 18 age group.

Almost every top player played this Championship and many former Smrikva Bowl players did very well on the 50th Junior Orange Bowl 2011 edition… Clair Liu is the under 12 Champion! :)

• Claire Liu (victory u-12)
• Andreea Rosca (quarterfinals u-12)
• Ana Biskic (quarterfinals u-12)

• Alexei Popyrin (quarterfinals u-12)
• Patrik Rikl (4th round u-12)

• Tommy Paul (quarterfinals u-14)
• Bogdan Borza (4th round u-14)
• William Blumberg (4th round u-14)

• Ivana Jorovic (semifinals u-14)
• Ana Konjuh (quarterfinals u-14)

Detailed results of 37 players that played this year edition are in the following:

Boys:

BOYS UNDER 12

Alexei Popyrin (Aus) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009
1st round: Alexei Popyrin – Timur Chelmodeev (RUS) 6:3,4:6,6:4
2nd round: Alexei Popyrin – Gabriel Decamps (BRA) 2:6,6:2,7:6
3rd round: Alexei Popyrin – Philipp Klimov (RUS) 6:2, 4:6, 6:4
4th round: Alexei Popyrin – Hyeongyu Choe (KOR) 6:1, 6:0
Quarterfinals: Alexei Popyrin -Ergi Kirkin (TUR) 2:6, 4:6

Patrik Rikl (Cze) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009
1st round: Patrik Rikl – Matic Podlipnik (SLO) 6:0, 6:0
2nd round: Patrik Rikl – Christiaan Worst (ZAF) 6:2, 6:1
3rd round: Patrik Rikl – Vasil Kirkov (USA) 7:6, 6:1
4th round: Patrik Rikl – Ergi Kirkin (TUR) 6:7, 5:7

Yshai Oliel (Isr) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 semifinalist
1st round: Yshai Oliel – Roman Ross-Anashenkau (BLR) 6:0, 6:0
2nd round: Yshai Oliel – Jose Ribeiro (PRT) 6:2, 6:0
3rd round: Yshai Oliel – Ergi Kirkin (TUR) 5:7, 2:6

Alex De Minaur (Esp) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009
1st round: Alex De Minaur – Dmitriy Voronin (RUS) 7:5, 6:3
2nd round: Alex De Minaur – Boris Kozlov (USA) 6:2, 6:4
3rd round: Alex De Minaur – Juan Otegui (ARG) 2:6, 2:6

Karlo Divkovic (Cro) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009
1st round: Karlo Divkovic – Felix Schlegel (GER) 6:2, 6:1
2nd round: Karlo Divkovic – Tom E. Jaworski (USA) 6:2, 6:0
3rd round: Karlo Divkovic – Hyeongyu Choe (KOR) 5:7,6:4,2:6

Karlo Suevich (Cro) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 runner up
1st round: Karlo Suevich – Mark Keki (HUN) 6:4, 6:3
2nd round: Karlo Suevich – Hyeongyu Choe (KOR) 1:6,3:6

Karol Paluch (Pol) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010
1st round: Karol Paluch – Kyle Frankel (ABW) 6:3, 6:4
2nd round: Karol Paluch – Trent J. Bryde (USA) 4:6, 2:6

Renzo Paro (Cro) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009
1st round: Renzo Paro – Alexander Rushin (USA) 2:6, 5:7

Alex De Minaur (Esp) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009
1st round: Alex De Minaur – Dmitriy Voronin (RUS) 5:7, 3:6

Mark Keki (Hun) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009
1st round: Mark Keki – Karlo Suevich (CRO) 4:6, 3:6

Matic Zaplotnik (Slo) – 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008
1st round: Matic Zaplotnik – Conrad G. Russell (USA) 2:6, 0:6

Matic Podlipnik (Slo) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010
1st round: Matic Podlipnik – Patrik Rikl (CZE) 0:6, 0:6

Lancelot Carnello (Swe) – 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011
1st round: Lancelot Carnello – Axel Nefve (USA) 0:6, 1:6

BOYS UNDER 14

Tommy Paul (USA) – “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl 2007
1st round: Tommy Paul – Atilio Flores (SLV) 6:1, 6:0
2nd round: Tommy Paul – Steven Karl (USA) 6:0, 6:3
3rd round: Tommy Paul – Aleksandre Bakshi (GEO) 6:4, 6:1
4th round: Tommy Paul – Bogdan Borza (ROM) 1:6, 7:6, 7:6
Quarterfinals: Tommy Paul – Seongchan Hong (KOR) 3:6, 4:6

Bogdan Borza (Rom) – 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up
1st round: Bogdan Borza – Rodrigo Budnik (CHL) 4:6, 7:6, 6:2
2nd round: Bogdan Borza – Aron L. Pierce (USA) 6:4,3:6,6:2
3rd round: Bogdan Borza – Chien-Hsun A. Lo (TWN) 6:4, 6:1
4th round: Bogdan Borza – Tommy Paul (USA) 6:1, 6:7, 6:7

William Blumberg (USA) – “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl 2008
1st round: William Blumberg – Grayson T. Broadus (USA) 6:3, 6:1
2nd round: W.Blumberg -Pablo Sanchez Rivera (MEX) 2:6,6:2,7:6
3rd round: William Blumberg – Chase Colton (USA) 6:3, 6:2
4th round: William Blumberg -Henrik Wiersholm (USA) 6:4,3:6,1:6

Karlo Lozic (Cro) – 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007
1st round: Karlo Lozic – Cuomo Ferruccio (ITA) 6:2, 6:2
2nd round: Karlo Lozic – Carlos Taberner (ESP) 6:4, 7:6
3rd round: Karlo Lozic – Cameron E. Klinger (USA) 4:6, 4:6

Eduardo Nava (USA) – “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl 2007
1st round: Eduardo Nava – Ben Fatael (ISR) 6:3, 6:1
2nd round: Eduardo Nava – Evgeny Tyurnev (RUS) 6:3, 7:5
3rd round: Eduardo Nava – David Volfson (CAN) 3:6, 2:6

Miguel Semmler (Esp) – 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007
1st round: Miguel Semmler – Jorge Espinoza (ECU) 6:0, 6:1
2nd round: Miguel Semmler – Aleksandre Bakshi (GEO) 3:6, 6:7

Sacha Merzetti (Ita) – 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 winner
1st round: Sacha Merzetti – Casper Bonapart (NLD) 6:4, 4:6, 4:6

Filip Grbic (Srb) – 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007
1st round: Filip Grbic – Michael C. Mmoh 1:6, 2:6

Girls:

GIRLS UNDER 12

Claire Liu (USA) – “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl 2010
1st round: Claire Liu – Amanda Anisimova (USA) 6:2, 6:2
2nd round: Claire Liu – Lea Boskovic (CRO) 6:4, 3:6, 6:3
3rd round: Claire Liu – Anna Bright (USA) 6:3, 6:1
4th round: Claire Liu – Nika Shytkouskaya (BLR)
Quarterfinals: Claire Liu – Ana Biskic (CRO) 7:5, 6:2
Semifinals: Claire Liu – Riley McQuaid (USA) 6:0, 6:0
Finals: Claire Liu – Catherine Bellis (USA) 1:6, 6:4, 6:3

Andreea Amalia Rosca (Rom) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009
1st round: Andreea Rosca – Katherine Sebov (CAN) 7:6, 6:1
2nd round: Andreea Rosca – Eunse Jang (KOR) 6:2, 6:3
3rd round: Andreea Rosca – Loren R. Haukova (USA) 6:1, 6:1
4th round: Andreea Rosca – Jaeda Daniel (USA) 5:7, 6:4, 6:0
Quarterfinals: Andreea Rosca – Nicole Conard (USA) 4:6, 6:7

Ana Biskic (Usa) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009
1st round: Ana Biskic – Kennedy Bridgforth (USA) 6:2, 6:0
2nd round: Ana Biskic – Karin Kresal (SVN) 6:2, 6:2
3rd round: Ana Biskic – Ryan Peus (USA) 6:4, 6:2
4th round: Ana Biskic – Sofia Sewing (USA) 6:2, 6:1
Quarterfinals: Ana Biskic – Claire Liu (USA) 5:7, 2:6

Jovana Vukovic (Srb) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 winner
1st round: Jovana Vukovic – Miranda Ramirez (USA) 6:3, 6:1
2nd round: Jovana Vukovic – Isabella Y. Mermersky (USA) 6:0,6:2
3rd round: Jovana Vukovic – Jaeda Daniel (USA) 3:6, 2:6

Inci Ogut (TUR) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 semifinalist
1st round: Inci Ogut – Opheline Depoilly (FRA) 6:1, 6:2
2nd round: Inci Ogut – Kayla Day (USA) 3:6, 6:3, 2:6

Neli Sunjic (Cro) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 semifinalist
1st round: Neli Sunjic – Lily Reynolds (GBR) 6:3, 6:1
2nd round: Neli Sunjic – R.K.Papavasilopoulos (USA) 7:5,2:6,4:6

Dea Lako (Cro) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009
1st round: Dea Lako – Constanza Rios (CHL) 6:3, 6:2
2nd round: Dea Lako – Nika Shytkouskaya (BLR) 1:6 ret.

Lea Boskovic (Cro) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009
1st round: Lea Boskovic – Alexandra Peskova (SVK) 6:0, 6:0
2nd round: Lea Boskovic – Claire Liu (USA) 4:6, 6:3, 3:6

Irina Cantos Siemers (Bel) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010
1st round: I.Cantos Siemers – Zinovia Vaneva (BGR) 2:6, 0:6

GIRLS UNDER 14

Ivana Jorovic (Srb) – 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007
1st round: Ivana Jorovic – Kenadi A. Hance (USA) 6:1, 7:5
2nd round: Ivana Jorovic – Raveena Kingsley (USA) 6:0, 6:2
3rd round: Ivana Jorovic – Sandra Samir (EGY) 6:3, 1:6, 7:6
4th round: Ivana Jorovic – Bridget Forster (USA) 6:1, 6:0
Quarterfinals: Ivana Jorovic – Ana Konjuh (CRO) 6:1, 6:4
Semifinals: Ivana Jorovic – Tornado Ali Blac (USA) 2:6, 5:7

Ana Konjuh (Cro) – 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up
1st round: Ana Konjuh – Arnelle Sullivan (USA) 6:1, 6:0
2nd round: Ana Konjuh – Dessislava Zlateva (BGR) 7:5, 6:2
3rd round: Ana Konjuh – Natalia Vikhlyantseva (RUS) 6:7,6:1,6:4
4th round: Ana Konjuh – Mia Horvit (USA) 6:7, 6:3, 6:4
Quarterfinals: Ana Konjuh – Ivana Jorovic (SRB) 1:6, 4:6

Ndindi Ndunda (USA) – “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl 2007
1st round: Ndindi Ndunda – Anjana Suresh (CAN) 6:3, 6:1
2nd round: Ndindi Ndunda – Constanza Gorches (MEX) 6:3, 6:2
3rd round: Ndindi Ndunda – Ellie Halbauer (USA) 3:6, 1:6

Marija Curnic (Cro) – 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008
1st round: Marija Curnic – Daniella Moreno-Kaste (USA) 6:2, 6:2
2nd round: Marija Curnic – Mary Cancini (VEN) 0:6, 6:3, 6:3
3rd round: Marija Curnic – Shilin Xu (CHN) 2:6, 5:7

Silvia Chinellato (CRO) – 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007
1st round: Silvia Chinellato – Djeri Raymond (ATG) 6:1, 6:2
2nd round: Silvia Chinellato – Jaqueline Cristian (ROU) 2:6, 2:6

Nikolina Jovic (Srb) – 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008
1st round: Nikolina Jovic – Jazzi Plews (GBR) 2:6, 3:6

Margita Sunjic (CRO) – 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007
1st round: Margita Sunjic – Margot Yerolymos (FRA) 3:6, 0:6

19/12/11

Alvaro Regalado, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 winner, won the Coimbra Cup under 12 (Portugal)

I just received the news that, Alvaro Regalado, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 winner, from Spain, won the Coimbra Cup under 12 played last week in Portugal… and in addition to the victory in the single he won doubles with Alejandro Davidovich, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 semifinalist…

Alvaro Regalado’s road towards his victory at Coimbra Cup 2011 under 12 was the following:

1st round: Alvaro Regalado – Duarte Vale (POR) 6:4, 6:3
2nd round: Alvaro Regalado – Zizou Bergs (BEL) 6:1, 6:2
Quarter finals: Alvaro Regalado – Pires Bernardo (POR) 6:0, 6:0
Semifinals: Alvaro Regalado – Lukas Vontobel (SUI) 6:2, 6:1
Finals: Alvaro Regalado – Joao Antonio (POR)

There were several others Smrikva Bowl players I recignized in the Main Draw: Tomas Curras Abasolo from Spain, Rimpei Kawakami from Japan and Alejandro Davidovich also from Spain.

Congratulations!

18/12/11

New Year doubles tournament for the Smrikve Club Members with Cripnja... :)

Yesterday several Smrikve Tennis Club members of all ages gathered to celebrate the end of our tennis Year playing a funny random doubles tournament…

We took the names of the present members and created randomly draws…

It was a funny experience because top competitors were mixed with recreational players… this mix forced each team to elaborate tactics and strategies :)...

In end we all together concluded the day in the tavern before the end of the third set of the finals because of the snow rain…

We gathered around the fireplace and enjoyed two big “Cripnja”’s that have been prepared… :)

It was a nice way to say hello to the 2011…

15/12/11

Smrikva Bowl players on NIKE Junior Tour MASTER (Florida): Ana Konjuh (victory u-14), Bogdan Borza (finals u-14), Andreea Rosca (semifinals u-12), Patrik Rikl (semifinals u-12), J.Vukovic, L.Boskovic, A.de Minaur, A.Popyrin and N.Ndunda (quarterfinals)

During December Florida is the tennis Kingdom of junnior tennis with important tournaments such as: Orange Bowl, Eddie Herr International, Little Mo International, Prince Cup… and this year also the NIKE Junior Tour MASTER was played in Florida at Club Med Sandpiper.

In 2006 was played in La Manga (Spain), in 2007 – Turin (Italy), in 2008 – Club Med Sandpiper (USA – Florida), 2009 – Club Med Punta Cana (Dominican Republic), 2010 – Club Med Columbus Isle (Bahamas) and this year again at Club Med Sandpiper in Florida.

NIKE Junior Tour MASTER 2011 was played in under 12 and under 14 and several top Smrikva Bowl players did more than well:

• Ana Konjuh (victory u-14),
• Bogdan Borza (finals u-14),
• Patrik Rikl (semifinals u-12),
• Andreea Rosca (semifinals u-12)

• Jovana Vukovic (quarterfinals u-12),
• Lea Boskovic (quarterfinals u-12),
• Ndindi Ndunda (quarterfinals u-14).
• Alex De Minaur (quarterfinals u-12),
• Alexei Popyrin (quarterfinals u-12)

...here below are detailed results of former Smrikva Bowl players on NIKE Junior Tour MASTER 2011 edition:

Boys:

BOYS UNDER 12

Patrik Rikl (Cze) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009
1st round: Patrik Rikl – bye
2nd round: Patrik Rikl – Braynin (UKR) 6:7, 6:3, 6:3
3rd round: Patrik Rikl – A. Dubrivnyy (RUS) 6:3, 4:6, 6:4
Quarterfinals: Patrik Rikl – R. Molleker (GER) 6:4, 6:1
Semifinals: Patrik Rikl – Gianni Ross (USA) 1:6, 6:4, 8:10

Alex De Minaur (Esp) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009
1st round: Alex De Minaur – bye
2nd round: Alex De Minaur – Christiaan Worst (RSA) 6:2, 6:2
3rd round: Alex De Minaur – Andrej Jokic (BiH) 6:4, 6:2
Quarterfinals: Alex De Minaur – Ergi Kirkin (SRB) 1:6, 2:6

Alexei Popyrin (Aus) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009
1st round: Alexei Popyrin – bye
2nd round: Alexei Popyrin – G. Decamps (BRA) 7:6, 6:2
3rd round: Alexei Popyrin – Mischa Lanz (SUI) 6:4, 1:6, 10:6
Quarterfinals: A.Popyrin – M.Soto Carmona (CHI) 2:6, 6:7

Miomir Kecmanovic (Srb) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009
1st round: Miomir Kecmanovic – bye
2nd round: Miomir Kecmanovic – Yuefeng Di (CHN) 6:2, 6:2
3rd round: Miomir Kecmanovic – Gianni Ross (USA) 1:6, 7:5, 5:7

Andrej Jokic (BiH) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009
1st round: Andrej Jokic – bye
2nd round: Andrej Jokic – Tobias Wagner (AUT) 6:0, 6:0
3rd round: Andrej Jokic – Alex De Minaur (ESP) 4:6, 2:6

Mischa Lanz (Sui) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009
1st round: Mischa Lanz – bye
2nd round: Mischa Lanz – Marc Keki (HUN) 6:1, 6:2
3rd round: Mischa Lanz – Alexei Popyrin (AUS) 4:6, 6:1, 6:10

Karlo Divkovic (Cro) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009
1st round: Karlo Divkovic – bye
2nd round: Karlo Divkovic – R. Molleker (GER) 3:6, 4:6

Amaury De Beer (Mri) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009
1st round: Amaury De Beer – bye
2nd round: Amaury De Beer – Dominic West (GBR) 1:6, 1:6

Marc Keki (Hun) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009
1st round: Marc Keki – bye
2nd round: Marc Keki – Mischa Lanz (SUI) 1:6, 2:6

BOYS UNDER 14

Bogdan Borza (Rum) – 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up
1st round: Bogdan Borza – bye
2nd round: Bogdan Borza – Fabian Fallert (GER) 6:2, 6:2
3rd round: Bogdan Borza – Carlos Taberner (ESP) 3:6, 7:5, 7:6
Quarterfinals: Bogdan Borza – Nik Krapez (SLO) 6:3, 6:3
Semifinals: Bogdan Borza – M. Mmoh (USA) 6:3, 7:6
Finals: Bogdan Borza – S. Hong (KOR) 2:6, 2:6

Eduardo Nava (USA) – “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl 2007
1st round: Eduardo Nava – bye
2nd round: Eduardo Nava – Mario Osmakcic (SUI) 1:6, 6:7

Filip Grbic (Srb) – 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007
1st round: Filip Grbic – Stefano Di Aloy (ARG) 6:1, 6:0
2nd round: Filip Grbic – S. Zverev (GER) 3:6, 6:0, 4:6

Girls:

GIRLS UNDER 12

Andreea Amalia Rosca (Rom) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009
1st round: Andreea Rosca – bye
2nd round: Andreea Rosca – Tamara Arnold (SUI) 6:0, 6:1
3rd round: Andreea Rosca – D. Yastremska (UKR) 6:0, 6:4
Quarterfinals: Andreea Rosca – Ryan Peus (USA) 6:2, 6:1
Semifinals: Andreea Rosca – A. Nefedova (RUS) 4:6, 3:6

Jovana Vukovic (Srb) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 winner
1st round: Jovana Vukovic – bye
2nd round: Jovana Vukovic – M. Portillo (MEX) 6:3, 6:4
3rd round: Jovana Vukovic – Melanie Pinkitz (AUT) 6:3, 6:2
Quarterfinals: Jovana Vukovic – Vondrousova (CZE) 2:6, 4:6

Lea Boskovic (Cro) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009
1st round: Lea Boskovic – bye
2nd round: Lea Boskovic – S. Pipa (GER) 6:1, 6:2
3rd round: Lea Boskovic – I. Cantos Siemers (BEL) 6:2, 6:1
Quarterfinals: Lea Boskovic – A. Nefedova (RUS) 0:6, 1:6

Irina Cantos Siemers (Bel) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010
1st round: I.Cantos Siemers – bye
2nd round: I.Cantos Siemers – Miriam Timkova (SVK) 6:3, 6:3
3rd round: I.Cantos Siemers – Lea Boskovic (CRO) 2:6, 1:6

Neli Sunjic (Cro) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 semifinalist
1st round: Neli Sunjic – D. Oryshkevych (UKR) 2:6, 3:6

Kristina Novak (Slo) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 semifinalist
1st round: K.Novak – Z. Jordanova Vaneva (BUL) 6:4, 6:7, 4:6

GIRLS UNDER 14

Ana Konjuh (Cro) – 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up
1st round: Ana Konjuh – bye
2nd round: Ana Konjuh – Alena Weiss (AUT) 6:0, 6:1
3rd round: Ana Konjuh – Magali Kempen (BEL) 6:3, 6:1
Quarterfinals: Ana Konjuh – I. Shymanovich (BLR) 6:4, 6:1
Semifinals: Ana Konjuh – M. Shishkina (USA) 6:2, 6:1
Finals: Ana Konjuh – V. Grammatikopoulou (GRE) 6:1, 6:1

Ndindi Ndunda (USA) – “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl 2007
1st round: Ndindi Ndunda – bye
2nd round: Ndindi Ndunda – Marija Curnic (CRO) 7:5, 6:3
3rd round: Ndindi Ndunda – Fanny Östlund (SWE) 6:1, 6:1
Quarterfinals: N.Ndunda – V. Grammatikopoulou (GRE) 4:6, 6:7

Nikolina Jovic (Srb) – 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008
1st round: Nikolina Jovic – bye
2nd round: Nikolina Jovic – Zina Mehikic (BiH) 6:3, 6:1
3rd round: Nikolina Jovic – M. Shishkina (USA) 0:6, 1:6

Ivana Jorovic (Srb) – 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007
1st round: Ivana Jorovic – bye
2nd round: Ivana Jorovic – Victoria Muntean (FRA) 4:6, 6:4, 6:2
3rd round: I.Jorovic – V.Grammatikopoulou (GRE) 2:6,6:0,5:10

Marija Curnic (Cro) – 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008
1st round: Marija Curnic – bye
2nd round: Marija Curnic – Ndindi Ndunda (USA) 5:7, 3:6

Bianka Bekefi (Hun) – 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007
1st round: Bianka Bekefi – bye
2nd round: Bianka Bekefi – Petra Melounova (CZE) 6:3, 6:0
3rd round: Bianka Bekefi – Valeria Nikolaev (ISR) 6:7, 4:8

Nina Potocnik (Slo) – 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 semifinalist
1st round: Nina Potocnik – Jil Teichmann (SUI) 4:6, 4:6

13/12/11

Top Smrikva Bowl and "Little Mo"/Smrikva Bowl players on ATP, WTA, ITF, USTA and European under 14 and 16 ranking lists (update December 2011)

Former top Smrikva Bowl players that reached certain results on the professional ranking list are mentioned below and the top Smrikva Bowl players that are still competing…

IN 1996 SMRIKVA BOWL GATHERED TOP PLAYERS FROM ISTRIA AND KVARNER (1st Smrikva Bowl)

BOYS
Vilim Visak, 1st Smrikva Bowl 1996 winner, from Croatia. Vilim’s best ranking was #612 in March 2006.

IN 1997 SMRIKVA BOWL GATHERED TOP PLAYERS FROM CROATIA (1997 – 2nd Smrikva Bowl)

GIRLS
Ivana Lisjak, 2nd Smrikva Bowl 1997 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #552 on WTA list. Ivana’s best ranking was #95 on WTA list in June 2006.

IN 1998 SMRIKVA BOWL STARTED TO BE INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT (3rd Smrikva Bowl)

1999 – 4th Smrikva Bowl

GIRLS
Astrid Besser, 4th Smrikva Bowl 1999 winner, from Italy, her best ranking was #356 on WTA list in March 2009.

2000 – 5th Smrikva Bowl

GIRLS
Tereza MRDEZA, 5th Smrikva Bowl 2000 winner, from Croatia, is currently ranked #290 on WTA list and her best ranking was #279 on WTA list in February 2010.

2001 – 6th Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Marin Draganja, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #1281 on ATP ranking list.
Dino Marcan, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked *#356 on ATP ranking list*.

GIRLS
Petra MARTIC, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #49 on WTA list. Petra’s best raning was #47 on WTA list in September 2011.
Indire Akiki, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #500 on WTA list.

IN 2002 SMRIKVA BOWL STARTED TO BE A EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP

2002 – 7th Smrikva Bowl and 1st”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Javier MARTI, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 winner, from Spain, is currently ranked #184 on ATP list. Javier’s best raning is his current ranking #181 on WTA list as of November 2011.
Giacomo Miccini, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Italy, was ranked #1039 on ATP list in May 2009.

GIRLS
Martina Caregaro, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 winner, from Italy, is ranked #436 on WTA ranking list.
Ajla TOMLJANOVIC, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #148 on WTA list.
Ema BURGIC, ranked 3rd on 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #946 on WTA list, her best ranking was #505 on WTA list in July 2010.

2003 – 8th Smrikva Bowl and 2nd”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Dominic THIEM, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner, from Austria, is ranked #640 on ATP ranking list. Junior ROLAND GARROS 2011 finalist, Eddie Herr International and Junior Orange Bowl under 18 winner.
George MORGAN, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Great Britain, is ranked #725 on ATP ranking list. Junior US OPEN 2011 semifinalist.
Ciprian PORUMB, ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, from Romenia, was ranked #195 on ITF ranking list in March 2010.

GIRLS
Jennifer Ren, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner, from Great Britain, not currently ranked on WTA list.
Silvia NJIRIC, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #582 on WTA list.
Ajla TOMLJANOVIC, ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, from Croatia, is ranked #148 on WTA list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Emmett EGGER, played 2nd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #126 on ITF ranking list.

2004 – 9th Smrikva Bowl and 3rd”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Ivan Levar, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #683 on ITF ranking list.
Miki JANKOVIC, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #53 on ITF ranking list and is ranked #875 on ATP ranking list.

GIRLS
Saska GAVRILOVSKA, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 winner, from Serbia, is ranked #650 on WTA ranking list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Mitchel POLNET, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #430 on ITF ranking list.

Blair SHANKLE, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #139 on ITF ranking list.
Anna MAMALAT, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #898 on ITF ranking list.

IN 2005 SMRIKVA BOWL GATHERED TOP PLAYERS FROM 3 CONTINENTS

2005 – 10th Smrikva Bowl and 4th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Matteo DONATI, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 winner, from Italy, is ranked #164 on ITF ranking list.
Laslo DJERE, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #110 on ITF ranking list.
Gianluigi QUINZI, ranked 3rd on 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005, from Italy, is ranked #57 on ITF ranking list.
Nikola MILOJEVIC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 Consolation tournament winner, from Serbia, is ranked #18 on ITF ranking list.

GIRLS
Saska GAVRILOVSKA, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 winner, from Serbia, is ranked #650 on WTA ranking list.
Olga IANCHUK, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Ukraine, is ranked #567 on WTA list.
Irina Maria BARA, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Romania, is ranked #98 on ITF ranking list.
Donna VEKIC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Croatia, is ranked #393 on WTA list*and is ranked #*22 on ITF ranking list.

Dorothy Tang, played 4th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is not ranked on ITF ranking list.

2006 – 11th Smrikva Bowl and 5th”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Gianluigi QUINZI, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner, from Italy, is ranked #57 on ITF ranking list and is ranked #1802 on ATP list.

GIRLS
Eleanor DEAN, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner, from Great Britain, is ranked #127 on ITF ranking list and #725 on WTA ranking list.

Christina MAKAROVA, played 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #50 on ITF ranking list.
Gabriella Umoquit, played 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is still not ranked on ITF ranking list.

2007 – 12th Smrikva Bowl and 6th”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Sacha MERZETTI, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 winner, from Italy, is ranked #64 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Bogdan BORZA, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up, from Romania, is ranked #1 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Gonzalo MORELL, ranked 3rd on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Spain, is ranked #100 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Sergiu BUCUR, ranked 4th on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Romania, is ranked #16 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.

GIRLS
Ana KONJUH, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #1 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Nina POTOCNIK, ranked 3rd on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Slovenia, is ranked #29 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Eduardo NAVA, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #14 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Tommy PAUL, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #6 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.

Ndindi NDUNDA, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #9 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Domonique Garley, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #93 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.

IN 2008 SMRIKVA BOWL GATHERED TOP PLAYERS FROM 5 CONTINENTS AND TURNED INTO A WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

2008 – 13th Smrikva Bowl and 7th”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Luka PANIC, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 winner, from Switzerland, is ranked #519 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Mihnea TURCU, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 runner up, from Romania, is ranked #457 in Europe in under 14 european ranking list.
Grega KOKALJ, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Slovenia, is ranked *#373 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Andrea Guerrieri, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Italy, is ranked #833 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

GIRLS
Katarina JOKIC, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 winner, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked *#23 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Maia LUMSDEN, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 runner up, from Scotland, is ranked #51 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Viktoria KUZMOVA, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Slovakia, is ranked *#19 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Estela Perez-Somarriba, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Spain, is ranked #961 on under 14 european ranking list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Justin LEE, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #82 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
William BLUMBERG, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked *#131 in the USA in under 14 cathegory*.

Ingrid NEEL, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #102 in the USA in under 16 cathegory.
Paulina Ferrari, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #85 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.

IN 2009 SMRIKVA BOWL HAD 6 NEW COUNTRIES AND 1 NEW CONTINENT THUS REACHED THE TOTAL OF 40 COUNTRIES AND 6 CONTINENTS THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE TOURNAMENT SINCE ITS FOUNDATION

2009 – 14th Smrikva Bowl and 8th”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Alvaro Regalado Pedrol, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 winner, from Spain, is ranked #433 in under 14 european ranking.
Samuele Ramazzotti, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 runner up, from Italy, is ranked *#93 in under 14 european ranking*.
Karlo SUEVICH, ranked 3rd on 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009, from Slovenia, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Alejandro Davidovich, ranked 3rd on 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009, from Spain, is ranked #760 in under 14 european ranking.

GIRLS
Katie SWAN, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 winner, from United Kingdom, is ranked #287 in under 14 european ranking.
Jovana VUKOVIC – JOKA, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 runner up, from Serbia, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Inci OGUT, ranked 3rd on 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009, from Turkey, is ranked *#154 in under 14 european ranking*.
Arianna CAPOGROSSO, ranked 3rd on 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009, from Italy, is ranked *#111 in under 14 european ranking*.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Noah SCHACHTER, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #5 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Alex Gee, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #28 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.

Michaela GORDON, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #3 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Ashley LAHEY, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked *#52 in the USA in under 12 cathegory*.

IN 2010 SMRIKVA BOWL HAD 9 NEW COUNTRIES AND REACHED THE TOTAL OF 49 COUNTRIES THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE TOURNAMENT SINCE ITS FOUNDATION

2010 – 15th Smrikva Bowl and 9th”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl

“Little Mo” TEAM
Max Motlagh, played 9th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #109 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.

Claire LIU, played 9th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #8 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Alexa Butera, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked *#78 in the USA in under 12 cathegory*.

IN 2011 SMRIKVA BOWL HAD 4 NEW COUNTRIES AND REACHED THE TOTAL OF 53 COUNTRIES THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE TOURNAMENT SINCE ITS FOUNDATION

2011 – 16th Smrikva Bowl

12/12/11

Smrikva Bowl players on 5th "Little Mo" International 2011 edition: Renzo Paro (winner u-11), Olga Danilovic (winner u-10), Ana Biskic (winner u-12), Eric Vanshelboim (runner up u-10), Karlo Suevich (runner up u-11)

5th “Little Mo” International 2011 edition is played for the second time at IMG Nick Bollettieri Academy in Florida…

Several years ago the MCB Tennis Foundation created the Little Mo International Open that is a global tournament open to the players in age groups under 8 – 12.

On the last year edition several former Smrikva Bowl players obtained great success: Neli Sunjic, 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 semifinalist, from Croatia, won the under 10 age group… Katie Swan, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 winner, from UK, won the under 11 age group… Ingrid Neel, 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl 2008 player, from the US, won the under 12 age group… Yshai Oliel, 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 semifinalist, from Israel, won the under 10 age group.

This year top results were achieved by the following Smrikva Bowl players:
• Renzo Paro (winner u-12),
• Olga Danilovic (winner u-10),
• Ana Biskic (winner u-12),
• Eric Vanshelboim (runner up u-10),
• Karlo Suevich (runner up u-11),
• Omer Artsi (quarterfinals u-10),
• Karol Paluch (quarterfinals u-11),
• Vito Tonejc (semifinals u-12),
• Snezana Stevic (quarterfinals u-10)

...and here below are detailed results of this year 5th “Little Mo” International 2011 edition:

Boys:

BOYS UNDER 10

Eric Vanshelboim (Den) – 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011
1st round: Eric Vanshelboim – Oliver C Worth (USA) 6:0, 6:3
2nd round: Eric Vanshelboim – Tristan Boyer (USA) 6:2,2:6,10:6
Quarterfinals: Eric Vanshelboim – Tyler Malin (USA) 6:4, 6:1
Semifinals: Eric Vanshelboim – Tyler Zink (USA) 6:3, 1:6, 10:7
Finals: Eric*Vanshelboim* – Sebastian Grundtvig (DEN) 1:6,0:6

Omer Artsi (Isr) – 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011
1st round: Omer Artsi – Mark V Mandlik (USA)
2nd round: Omer Artsi – Brandon L Riddle (USA) 6:3, 6:0
Quarterfinals: Omer Artsi – Tyler Zink (USA) 3:6, 0:6

Lancelot Carnello (Swe) – 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011
1st round: Lancelot Carnello – Russell Berdusco (USA) 6:1, 6:0
2nd round: Lancelot Carnello – Sebastian Grundtvig (DEN) 4:6,0:6

BOYS UNDER 11

Karlo Suevich (Cro) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 runner up
1st round: Karlo Suevich – Daniel Moreno (USA) 6:4, 6:1
2nd round: Karlo Suevich – Elliot Lamprecht (RSA) 6:0, 6:1
Quarterfinals: Karlo Suevich – Mikkel Baumann (NOR) 6:0, 6:0
Semifinals: Karlo Suevich – Brian Bencic (SUI) 7:5, 6:0
Finals: Karlo Suevich -Adil Kalyanpur (IND) 4:6, 6:0, 6:10

Karol Paluch (Pol) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010
1st round: Karol Paluch – bye
2nd round: Karol Paluch – Shoichiro Morita (JPN) 6:1, 6:0
Quarterfinals: Karol Paluch – Adil Kalyanpur (IND) 1:6, 1:6

Elliot Lamprecht (Rsa) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010
1st round: Elliot Lamprecht – Daniel Moreno (USA) 3:6, 6:0, 10:5
2nd round: Elliot Lamprecht – Karlo Suevich (CRO) 0:6, 1:6

BOYS UNDER 12

Renzo Paro (Cro) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009
1st round: Renzo Paro – bye
2nd round: Renzo Paro – Sebastian Korda (USA) 6:4, 6:1
Quarterfinals: Renzo Paro – Jacob M Bicknell (JAM) 6:1, 6:1
Semifinals: Renzo Paro – Vito Tonejc (CRO) 6:0, 6:0
Finals: Renzo Paro – Ivan Thamma (USA) 6:4, 4:6, 10:7

Vito Tonejc (Cro) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009
1st round: Vito Tonejc – Lutwin Demacar (USA) 6:3, 6:0
2nd round: Vito Tonejc – Victor Janglin (USA) 7:5, 6:1
Quarterfinals: Vito Tonejc – Akshay V Jadhav (IND) 6:3, 6:1
Semifinals: Vito Tonejc – Renzo Paro (CRO) 0:6, 0:6

Girls:

GIRLS UNDER 10

Olga Danilovic (Srb) – 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 winner
1st round: Olga Danilovic – bye
2nd round: Olga Danilovic – Alexandra Arkhipov (CAN) 6:2, 6:0
Quarterfinals: Olga Danilovic – Giorgia Di Muzio (ITA) 6:1, 6:0
Semifinals: Olga Danilovic – Alexandra Mikhailuk (CAN) 6:0, 6:1
Finals: Olga Danilovic – Whitney Osuigwe (USA) 6:0, 6:2

Snezana Stevic (BiH) – 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011
1st round: Snezana Stevic – Carola Cavelli (ITA) 6:1, 6:1
2nd round: Snezana Stevic – Alexa Ryngler (USA) 6:3, 5:7, 10:7
Quarterfinals: Snezana Stevic – Alexandra Mikhailuk (CAN)

Iva Zelic (Cro) – 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011
1st round: Iva Zelic – Elli H Mandlik (USA) 6:1, 6:1
2nd round: Iva Zelic – Alexandra Bakaldina (SUI) 5:7, 5:7

GIRLS UNDER 12

Ana Biskic (Usa) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009
1st round: Ana Biskic – Sofia Casso (USA) 6:0, 6:1
Quarterfinals: Ana Biskic – Lalita Devarakonda (IND) 6:2, 6:3
Semifinals: Ana Biskic – Xiangruyi Ji (CHN) 6:0, 6:2
Finals: Ana Biskic – Satsuki Takamura (JPN) 6:3, 6:4

Dea Lako (Usa) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009
1st round: Dea Lako – Zia F Kara (USA) 6:4, 6:3
2nd round: Dea Lako – Satsuki Takamura (JPN) 1:6, 3:6

SMRIKVA BOWL AND LITTLE MO FRIENDSHIP RELATIONSHIP…

There is a long term friendship relationship between Smrikva Bowl and “Little Mo”...

In 2002, the Smrikve Tennis Club joined forces with the Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation and created the first-ever international competition between the United States and Europe for boys and girls under 10 and named it the “Little Mo”/ Smrikva Bowl. This event was a unique and traditional meeting of the youngest and most talented players in the World.

Since 2002 Smrikva Bowl and “Little Mo” tournaments have both grown into Global Tournaments and this year “Little Mo” players for the first time had the opportunity to play directly in the Smrikva Bowl Main Draw.

09/12/11

Dominic Thiem, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner, is the Junior Orange Bowl 2011 under 18 age group Champion

Dominic Thiem, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner, from Austria won over the last month the XXV Yucatan Cup 2011… a G1 tournament in Mexico… Eddie Herr International under 18 age group and this week he won the Junior Orange Bowl under 18 age group.

Last year Dominic also won Eddie Herr International and XXIV Yucatan World Cup 2010… and this is his last junior tournament soon his career should start develping in professional tennis…

His current ranked on ATP list is #640 while on the ITF ranking list he is ranked #8… his best ranking was #2 in Jannuary of this year.

Dominic’s road towards this year victory of the Junior Orange Bowl was the following:

Dominic Thiem (Aut) – 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner
1st round: Dominic Thiem – Luke BAMBRIDGE (GBR) 7:5, 6:1
2nd round: Dominic Thiem – L. MUGEVICIUS (LTU) 1:6, 6:3, 6:4
3rd round: Dominic Thiem – Hassan NDAYISHIMIYE (BDI) 6:1,6:4
Quarterfinals: Dominic Thiem – Kimmer COPPEJANS (BEL) 6:1,6:1
Semifinals: Dominic Thiem – Yoshihito NISHIOKA (JPN) 7:6, 6:3
Finals: Dominic Thiem- Patrick OFNER (AUT) 6:1, 6:0

There were several other fromer Smrikva Bowl players that I recognized in the Main Draws: boys – Borna Coric (3rd round), Robin Kern (1st round), Daniel Zelenkov (1st round); girls – Blair Shankle (1st round), Christina Makarova (2nd round), Olga Ianchuk (1st round), Ilka Csoregi (3rd round), Donna Vekic (quarterfinals).

Before concluding the article related with this year Orange Bowl I am pleased to recall another important moment for Dominic dated end of October when he had the opportunity to play with the Austrian tennis legend Thomas Muster at Stadthalle 2011… and obtain the victory 6:2, 6:3...

Dominic is younger and belonging to a new generation but this victory is important…

08/12/11

SMRIKVE LOUNGE... four months ago the realisation started... and the story of tennis and culture continues... :)

On 8th of August 2011, four months ago, we started to create a new place in Smrikve that is named SMRIKVE LOUNGE…

On the picture below you can see the SMRIKVE LOUNGE render that is exposed on the Istrian Architects Association Exhibition prepared for the projects designed in 2011…

It is envisaged as a place where the culture and tennis will continue to merge…

Culture (Latin: cultura) is a term that has many different inter-related meanings... and is most commonly used in three basic senses:

1) Excellence of taste in the fine arts and humanities, also known as high culture…
2) An integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior that depends upon the capacity for symbolic thought and social learning…
3) The set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution, organization, or group…

In the nineteenth century, it came to refer first to the betterment or refinement of the individual, especially through education… “La Bottega”...

SMRIKVE LOUNGE is envisaged as a place where some of the Smrikva Bowl seeds spread in 53 countries will return :)… to relax, for battery re-charge and to prepare for new challanges…

Since 1996 Smrikva Bowl main court has hosted talents from all the continents… and I beleive that SMRIKVE LOUNGE will be the place hosting many former Smrikva Bowl players and future TOP ATP and WTA players… grown Smrikva Bowl kids :) and off course La Bottega di Smrikve friends… it is a dream…

If you visit the SMRIKVE LOUNGE website I hope the sound of the music and the pictures will give you an idea of the place…

...and on the picture below you can see SMRIKVE LOUNGE picture from yesterday evening :)...

... I will be pleased to take the opportunity to say thanks to all the people that are helping me to realise the SMRIKVE LOUNGE…

Just few days ago I went to Rakalj to order marbles for SMRIKVE LOUNGE… the native town of Mate Balota… it is located on the Estern coast of Istria where many people who are helping me to build the LOUNGE are living…

... thus this story I am pleased to dedicate to Nole and Stipe (Gologorica – Boljun), Mile (Milotski brig), Mladjo (Pican), Kum (Krsan), Sebo (Sumber) and Darko (Labin area)…

It was mid August when they started… hot summer time… hard to work …

… and feeling the effort they were making I recalled Antoine de Saint-Exupery saying… “If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people together to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea”…

Day after day I dedicated time talking them about the lighthouse they were making… the story about inspiring… tennis kids that one day might write inspiring story…

… and just few weeks age one of our “La Bottega” school boys was competing in Bangladesh ITF tournament… winning matches day after day … and in end he won that ITF tournament but I was pleased that first thing in the morning my Lounge artist were asking me how our boy did in Bangladesh… :)…

WHY MATE BALOTA TO SAY THANKS TO NOLE, STIPE, MILE, MLADJO, KUM, SEBO and DARKO?

I remember when I read Max Weber’s book: “Die protestantische Ethik und der ‘Geist’ des Kapitalismus” I thought for a second on Matija Vlacic and I thought on him again while reading Mate Balota’s book “Tijesna Zemlja” (the Narrow Land)...

Matija Vlacic… was a Protestant theologist, philosopher and historian of the 16th century native from Labin… a very influent Lutheran reformer…

... and although living in different centuries… Matija Vlacic had an important inspiring influence on Mate Balota… writer, poet, economist, diplomat… and “fisherman, sailor and manual worker”… the last definition gave him freedom to “breathe with full lungs” ;)

I like many parts of “Tijesna zemlja” and I find them in line with what Istria means today… and many parts of the book are in line with what any civil society surviving in the World is based on… I like his… description of “a pure race”… the story of the importance of the given word… the story of the Venetian civilization,… the story of “Jure Valić, od roda Tičara, u Raklju, u Kavranu i Valturi poznat kao Jure Matesina”,… the story of the importance of Boskarin,… the story of living… There were always people speaking “in the name of the people”, but very few individuals are the voice of the people.

When Mate Balota learned that manuscripts of Matija Vlacic were stored in Frankfurt… he decided to study there… Matthias Flacius Illyricus manuscripts were written in Latin… thus he needed to improve his Latin and than try to understand Matthias Flacius Illyricus… which according to Balota was the greatest Istrian of all times…

… and my Lounge artists growing in the native area of Matija and Mate remind me the above ;)…

02/12/11

Smrikva Bowl players on EDDIE HERR INTERNATIONAL 2011 under 18 age group: Dominic Thiem, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner, is in the winner of this prestigious tournament for the second year in the row :)

Dominic Thiem, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner, and last year winner of the Eddie Herr International under 18 age group won again this prestigious International Tournament. Last week he won the YUCATAN CUP in Mexico a G1 ITF tournament.

This year the outstanding results of the former Smrikva Bowl players on the Eddie Herr International in the under 12 and under 14 age groups were obtained by the following players as reported in details in my previous article:

Boys:
• Alexei Popyrin (AUS) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 Consolation Draw winner – SEMIFINALS under 12 age group
• Yshai Oliel (ISR) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 semifinalist – FOURTH ROUND under 12 age group
• Tommy Paul (USA) – part of the “Little Mo” team in 2007 – QUARTERFINALS under 14 age group
• Karlo Lozic (CRO) – 12 Smrikva Bowl 2007 – QUARTERFINALS under 14 age group

Girls:
• Ana Konjuh (CRO) – 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up – SEMIFINALS under 14 age group
• Inci Ogut (TUR) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 semifinalist – QUARTERFINALS under 12 age group
• Ndindi Ndunda (USA) – part of the “Little Mo” team in 2007 – QUARTERFINALS under 14 age group

Over the past 20 years the Eddie Herr International Junior Tournament attracted players from over 136 nations and has served as a springboard to the professionals such as Roger Federer, Maria Sharapova, Andy Roddick, David Nalbandian, Anna Kournikova, Mardy Fish, Xavier Malisse, Marcelo Rios, Jelena Jankovic, and Ana Ivanovic – to name just a few.

Last year two Smrikva Bowl winners won also Eddie Herr International… Katarina Jokic, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 winner, won the under 12 age group, while Dominic Thiem, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner, won the under 18 age group…

IN THE UNDER 18 AGE GROUPS AS I WROTE ABOVE DOMINIC THIEM MADE THE BEST RESULT AMONG FORMER SMRIKVA BOWL PLAYERS as shown in the following:

BOYS UNDER 18

Dominic Thiem (AUT) – 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner
1st round: Dominic Thiem – Connor Farren (USA) 6:2, 6:3
2nd round: Dominic Thiem – Anton Desyatnik (RUS) 6:0, 6:2
3rd round: Dominic Thiem – Laslo Djere (SRB) 7:5, 6:2
Quarterfinals: Dominic Thiem – Yoshihito Nishioka (JPN) 7:5, 6:2
Semifinals: Dominic Thiem – Mitchell K Krueger (USA) 6:0, 6:2
Finals: Dominic Thiem – Patrick Ofner (AUT) 6:1, 6:0

Robin Kern (GER) – 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002
1st round: Robin Kern – Jonathan Cornish (GBR) 7:6, 6:1
2nd round: Robin Kern – Naoki Nakagawa (JPN) 6:2, 6:2
3rd round: Robin Kern – Marco Nunez (MEX) 6:3, 3:6, 6:3
Quarterfinals: Robin Kern – Patrick Ofner (AUT) 2:6, 4:6

Laslo Djere (SRB) – 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up
1st round: Laslo Djere – Roy Lederman (USA) 6:4, 6:4
2nd round: Laslo Djere – Hassan Ndayishimiye 6:4, 6:3
3rd round: Laslo Djere – Dominic Thiem (AUT) 5:7, 2:6

Borna Coric (CRO) – 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005
1st round: Borna Coric – Julien Cagnina (BEL) 6:7, 6:7

GIRLS UNDER 18

Ilka Csoregi (USA) – 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006
1st round: Ilka Csoregi – Samantha D Crawford (USA) 7:6, 6:1
2nd round: Ilka Csoregi – Carol Zhao (CAN) 6:1, 7:5
3rd round: Ilka Csoregi – Taylor Townsend (USA) 2:6, 2:6

Olga Ianchuk (UKR) – 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up
1st round: Olga Ianchuk – Belinda Bencic (SUI) 6:4, 5:7, 6:4
2nd round: Olga Ianchuk – Alexandra J Kiick (USA) 4:6, 6:3, 3:6

Blair Shankle (USA) – part of the “Little Mo” team in 2004
1st round: Blair Shankle – Zuzanna Maciejewska (POL) 2:6, 3:6

Christina Makarova (USA) – part of the “Little Mo” team in 2006
1st round: Christina Makarova – E.Kulichkova (RUS) 6:7, 6:4, 5:7

Belinda Bencic (SUI) – part of the “Little Mo” team in 2004
1st round: Belinda Bencic – Olga Ianchuk (UKR) 4:6, 7:5, 4:6

01/12/11

Last week end the 13th International Tennis Symposium was held at Centro Pavesi in Milan (Italy)

I spent this week end at Centro Pavesi in Milan participating the 13th International Tennis Symposium... as usual the Symposium gathered many interesting speakers and it was an opportunity to learn something new…

Mr. Alberto Castellani, a part of being a great coach, is a great fun of culture, art and history thus his presentation is usually coloured with deep notes related with culture that I always enjoy…

This time Alberto Castellani focused on flexibility of technical training and mental preparations… basically he exposed a synthesis of winter training in 5 weeks with micro cycles adaptable to various types of players… it was a program he made last year in Africa with some top players…

I enjoyed his part because at “La Bottega” di Smrikve it is mostly what we do with our periodical guests… Just at the beginning of November I was pleased to do a micro cycle with top 12 years old kids from Slovenia and it was a great experience…

Alberto, is among other, also the President of the ATP Global Professional Tennis Coach Association… he coached several top ATP players but is also the founder of Tennis Academy called “Il Perugino: the Art of Tennis” which name at least in part reflect his personality…

Last year the 12th International Symposium was held at the tennis club Bonaiti run by Mr. Franco Bonaiti in Milano 3 and he was the speaker following Alberto… the title of his presentation was: From Tennis School to Academy, educational progression, priority levels and ages of students…

I enjoyed a lot the presentation of Mr. Antonio Quirino Cipolla – Fast learning: accelerated learning methodology. Father and son, coach and player: problems and strengths. The atypical as a winning way…

Antonio Cipolla is a person you enjoy listening… he graduated in law and did several interesting things in his life… related with sport but not only… he was a good tennis player… but also ATP Coach of Claudio Pistolesi… and in end he coached his son Flavio Cipolla and brought him among TOP 100 ATP players…

Among other he is also a good public speaker thus his exposition was really interesting… both by contents and by the way he interacted with kids…

Another very interesting subject was presented by Mr. Gianluca Carbone and Mr. Fabrizio Caldarone: Training Methods: Comparing Spain and Florida.

I was pleased to listen to the analysis they made comparing the US teaching Methods mostly represented in his analysis by Gabe Jaramillo method which I do like… and I had the opportunity to listen live… and on the other side the Spanish school represented via Luis Bruguera experience…

It was really well made… based on scientific basis using on the ground analysis that this job required…

Another contribution to this year Symposium was made by Mr. Renzo Furlan... former #19 ATP player who is currently part-time National coach for the Italian Tennis Federation and is also coaching Simone Bolelli… his subject was focused on Intensity applied to achieve high performance… and he used Schiavone example he used to work with over the last years too…

The last speaker was Mr. Massimo Puci... Massimo Pucci is the trainer of Andrey Golubev since he was 14 years old and last year I had a pleasure to listen to him for the first time where the topic was: “Discovery, progression and evolution of Andrey Golubev”.

I enjoyed his last year exposition… and it was very interesting to follow the way he made deep changes to Andrey from his double hand backhand into one hand backhand and also the ability to make majoer changes to his serve…

This year the subject was: “Practical exercises from amateur to top player…” and it was the outstanding presentation…

I can only say that it was another “good year”... :)

28/11/11

Smrikva Bowl players on EDDIE HERR INTERNATIONAL 2011: Ana Konjuh, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 players, reached the semifinals in the under 14 age group while Anthony Popyrin, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 player, reached the semifinals in the under 12 age group

Junior Tennis Championships
IMG/Bollettieri Academies,
Bradenton, Florida USA

November 26th – December 4th, 2011.

The tournament was founded in 1987 by Eddie’s grandson (Glenn Feldman) to honor his grandfather for his life’s passion and success of bringing the world’s best junior tennis players together to compete. Eddie Herr was the founded of the Orange Bowl…

The outstanding results of the former Smrikva Bowl players on the Eddie Herr International 2011 were obtained by the following players:

DETAILED RESULTS OF FORMER SMRIKVA BOWL PLAYERS ON EDDIE HERR INTERNATIONAL 2011 EDITION… are the following:

Boys:

BOYS UNDER 12

Alexei Popyrin (AUS) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 Consolation Draw winner
1st round: Alexei Popyrin – Luis A Conde (VEN) 6:0, 6:1
2nd round: Alexei Popyrin – Hyuga Nakai (JPN) 1:6, 0:6
3rd round: Alexei Popyrin – Jiri Jenicek (CZE) 0:6, 2:6
4th round: Alexei Popyrin – Camilo Carabelli (ARG) 6:3,4:6,6:1
Quarterfinals:Alexei Popyrin – Dmitriy Voronin (RUS) 5:7,7:6,6:3
Semifinals:Alexei Popyrin – Alex del Corral (USA) 2:6, 1:6

Yshai Oliel (ISR) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 semifinalist
1st round: Yshai Oliel – Anuj Watane (USA) 6:1, 6:0
2nd round: Yshai Oliel – Tommaso Carnevale (ITA) 6:2, 6:0
3rd round: Yshai Oliel – Malik Bhatnagar (CAN) 6:0, 6:1
4th round: Yshai Oliel – Noah Makarome (USA) 2:6, 1:6

Elliot Lamprecht (RSA) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010
1st round: Elliot Lamprecht – Ronald Hohmann (USA) 6:3,4:6,6:4
2nd round: Elliot Lamprecht – Maxim Kasianiuk (CAN) 6:4, 6:2
3rd round: Elliot Lamprecht – Artem Dubrivny (RUS) 0:6, 0:6

Matic Podlipnik (SLO) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010
1st round: Matic Podlipnik – Alexander Braude (GER) 6:4, 6:3
2nd round: Matic Podlipnik – Bruno B Pessoa (BRA) 6:7, 2:6

Tommaso Carnevale (ITA) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010
1st round: Tommaso Carnevale – Ko Jeabeom (KOR) 6:4, 6:3
2nd round: Tommaso Carnevale – Yshai Oliel (ISR) 2:6, 0:6

Adam Neff (USA) – 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011
1st round: Adam Neff – Jacob M Bicknell (JAM) 5:7, 6:2, 6:4
2nd round: Adam Neff – Artem Dubrivny (RUS) 0:6, 0:6

Amaury P de Beer (USA) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 player
1st round: Amaury de Beer – Zilbershtein Maxim (BLR) 6:1,6:1
2nd round: Amaury de Beer – Lingxi Zhao (CHN) 1:6, 4:6

Patrik Rikl (CZE) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009
1st round: Patrik Rikl – Kaloyan M Dimitrov (BUL) 6:1, 6:4
2nd round: Patrik Rikl – Vasil Kirkov (USA) 1:6, 1:6

Matic Zaplotnik (Slo) – 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008
1st round: Matic Zaplotnik – Manoel F Alencar (BRA) 6:3, 7:6
2nd round: Matic Zaplotnik – Oleksandr Braynin (UKR) 2:6, 2:6

Anthony Popyrin (Aus) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009
1st round: Anthony Popyrin – Davis Carvalho (USA) 2:6, 0:6

Lancelot S Carnello (SWE) – 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 player
1st round: Lancelot S Carnello – Alex del Corral (USA) 0:6, 0:6

BOYS UNDER 14

Tommy Paul (USA) – part of the “Little Mo” team in 2007
1st round: Tommy Paul – bye
2nd round: Tommy Paul – Chien Hsun Lo (TWN) 6:0, 6:2
3rd round: Tommy Paul – Dane C Dunlap (CAN) 6:4, 6:1
4th round: Tommy Paul – Alexander Zverev (RUS) 1:6,6:3,7:6
Quarterfinals: Tommy Paul – Chan Yeong Oh (KOR) 7:6,3:6,3:6

Karlo Lozic (CRO) – 12 Smrikva Bowl 2007
1st round: Karlo Lozic – Kiril Gushterov (MKD) 6:1, 6:1
2nd round: Karlo Lozic – Michael Kuznerko (USA) 6:0, 6:1
3rd round: Karlo Lozic – Reilly J Opelka (USA) 6:3, 6:3
4th round: Karlo Lozic – Sumit Nagal (IND) 6:4, 1:6, 6:4
Quarterfinals: Karlo Lozic – Alejandro Tabilo (CAN) 0:6, 0:6

Bogdan Borza (ROM) – 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up
1st round: Bogdan Borza – bye
2nd round: Bogdan Borza – Filip Grbic (SRB) 6:4, 6:3
3rd round: Bogdan Borza – Luis A Foglio (VEN) 6:0, 6:2
4th round: Bogdan Borza – Benjamin Hannestad (DEN) 2:6, 3:6

Dylan M Bednarczyk (CAN) – 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007
1st round: Dylan Bednarczyk – Emil Reinberg (USA) 6:3, 6:2
2nd round: Dylan Bednarczyk – Seongchan Hong (KOR) 0:6,0:6

Filip Grbic (SRB) – 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007
1st round: Filip Grbic – Nathan Ponwith (USA) 6:3, 4:6, 6:3
2nd round: Filip Grbic – Bogdan Borza (ROM) 4:6, 3:6

Aljaz J Kaplja (SLO) – 12 Smrikva Bowl 2007
1st round: Aljaz Kaplja – Tomislav Podvinski (CRO) 4:6, 2:6

Mihnea Turcu (ROM) – 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 runner up
1st round: Mihnea Turcu – Michael Kuznerko (USA) 0:6, 3:6

Girls:

GIRLS UNDER 12

Inci Ogut (TUR) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 semifinalist
1st round: Inci Ogut – Jada Robinson (USA) 0:6, 6:1, 6:1
2nd round: Inci Ogut – R.Papavasilopoulos (USA) 7:5, 6:3
3rd round: Inci Ogut – Emiliana Arango (COL) 6:1, 6:1
4th round: Inci Ogut – Maria L Carle (ARG) 6:2, 6:0
Quarterfinals: Inci Ogut – Sofya Zhuk (RUS) 1:6, 6:7

Irina Cantos Siemers (ESP) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010
1st round: Irina Cantos Siemers – YuQing Liu (HGK) 6:0, 6:1
2nd round: Irina Cantos Siemers – Anna Bright (USA) 0:6, 2:6

GIRLS UNDER 14

Ana Konjuh (CRO) – 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up
1st round: Ana Konjuh – bye
2nd round: Ana Konjuh – Elizabeth Lyukshinova (RUS) 6:1,6:0
3rd round: Ana Konjuh – Alexa M Bortles (USA) 6:0, 6:0
4th round: Ana Konjuh – Jaqueline Cristian (ROM) 6:1, 6:1
Quarterfinals: Ana Konjuh – Katerina Stewart (USA) 6:3, 6:2
Semifinals: Ana Konjuh – Anhelina Kalinina (UKR) 2:6, 2:6

Ndindi Ndunda (USA) – part of the “Little Mo” team in 2007
1st round: Ndindi Ndunda – Anjana Suresh (CAN) 6:1, 6:1
2nd round: Ndindi Ndunda – Charlotte M Petrick (CAN) 2:6,6:3,6:4
3rd round: Ndindi Ndunda – Ally Miller-Krasilnikov (USA) 6:1, 6:0
4th round: Ndindi Ndunda – Gabriela E Ruse (ROM) 7:5, 6:2
Quarterfinals: Ndindi Ndunda – Naiktha K Bains (AUS) 6:7, 3:6

Ivana Jorovic (SRB) – 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007
1st round: Ivana Jorovic – Nadia Gizdova (USA) 6:3, 6:0
2nd round: Ivana Jorovic – Elina Nepliy (RUS) 6:1, 6:2
3rd round: Ivana Jorovic – Raquel Pedraza (USA) 4:6, 6:3, 4:6

Nikolina Jovic (SRB) – 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008
1st round: Nikolina Jovic – Arki V Truscott (AUS) 6:1, 6:0
2nd round: Nikolina Jovic – Montana Moore (USA) 6:3, 6:0
3rd round: Nikolina Jovic – Usue M Arconada (USA) 4:6, 7:5, 5:7

Katie Dyson (GBR) – 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007
1st round: Katie Dyson – bye
2nd round: Katie Dyson – Shilin Xu (USA) 0:6, 0:6

Margita Sunjic (CRO) – 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007
1st round: Margita Sunjic – Elina Nepliy (RUS) 6:3, 3:6, 1:6

Neli Sunjic (Cro) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 runner up
1st round: Neli Sunjic – Natalia Vikhlyantseva (RUS) 0:6, 2:6

28/11/11

Dominic Thiem, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner, won XXV Yucatan Cup 2011 edition played in Mexico

Dominic Thiem, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner, from Austria won XXV Yucatan Cup 2011… a G1 tournament just completed in Mexico. Dominic is currently ranked #640 on ATP ranking list and #6 on ITF ranking list.

Last year Dominic won both Eddie Herr International and XXIV Yucatan World Cup 2010.

Dominic’s road towards this year victory of XXV Yucatan Cup 2011 was the following:

Dominic Thiem (Aut) – 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner
1st round: Dominic Thiem – Luca CORINTELI (USA) 3:6, 6:0, 6:3
2nd round: Dominic Thiem – Lucas GOMEZ (MEX) 6:2, 6:2
3rd round: Dominic Thiem – Jordan ANGUS (GBR) 6:4, 6:0
Quarterfinals: Dominic Thiem – Filip PELIWO (CAN) 6:2, 6:4
Semifinals: Dominic Thiem – Mackenzie MCDONALD (USA) 6:2, 6:1
Finals: Dominic Thiem – Kyle EDMUND (GBR) 6:2, 6:4

Congratulations Dominic!

For those who would like to see Dominic with the racket in his hand I am pleased to post a practice he had with Roger Federer :)

Congratulations once more to Dominic!!!

... and I am pleased to post the picture of Dominic when he won his Smrikva Bowl in 2003 and he was 10 years old at the time :)

There were two other Smrikva Bowl players I recognized in the Main Draw: Djere Laszlo from Serbia who played 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 and a year younger Borna Coric from Croatia who played Smrikva Bowl the same year… they both reached the 3rd round of this prestigious tournament.

In the girls Main Draw I recognized Christina Makarova who played “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl in 2006 and she reached the semifinals! I have to say that Christina’s result is more than great considering her age.

Best wishes to all of them for the upcoming tournaments that will be played in Florida during December!

21/11/11

Tereza Mrdeza, 5th Smrikva Bowl 2000 winner, reached the semifinals of USD 25.000 ITF worth tournament played at Asuncion in Paraguay

Last week, Tereza Mrdeza, 5th Smrikva Bowl 2000 winner, from Croatia, currently ranked #317 on WTA list reached the semifinals USD 25.000 ITF worth tournament that was played in Paraguay at Asuncion 2011.

This was for Tereza her fifth semifinals on ITF tournaments this year. She reached the semifinals at Mestre in Italy USD 50.000 worth tournament, obtained victory at UMAG USD 10.000 worh tournament and made two other semifinals in Spain.

Tereza Mrdeza’s road towards her semifinals at Asuncion 2011 in Paraguay was the following:

1st round: Tereza Mrdeza – Luciana SARMENTI (ARG) 6:3 6:0
2nd round: Tereza Mrdeza – Carolina ZEBALLOS (ARG) 6:2 6:3
Quarter finals: T.Mrdeza – Teliana PEREIRA (BRA) 5:7 6:3 6:4
Semifinals: Tereza Mrdeza – Romana TABAK (SVK) 6:7 2:6

Ranking of the players who played with Tereza is the following:

Luciana SARMENTI (ARG) – #600 on WTA list
Carolina ZEBALLOS (ARG) – #411 on WTA list
Teliana PEREIRA (BRA) – #340 on WTA list
Romana TABAK (SVK) – #402 on WTA list

19/11/11

Neven Krivokuca, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, played his first ITF tournament and obtained the victory entering the tournament as Wild Card player (Dhaka - Bangladesh)

I enjoyed watching over the last months from the new Smrikve Lounge terrace the tournament preparation of Neven with Miro…

The Bangladesh International Junior Tennis Tournament 2011 played in Dhaka was their first preparation check… and the first impressions as shown with Neven’s road towards the finals and victory make me think that the path may be the right one as shown in the following:

1st round: Neven Krivokuca – bye
2nd round: Neven Krivokuca – Saleem SHADMAN (BAN) 6:1, 6:0
3rd round: Neven Krivokuca – Manish KUMAR (IND) 6:4, 6:3
Quarterfinals: Neven Krivokuca – Anthony SAVIO (IND) 6:3, 6:2
Semifinals: Neven Krivokuca – Sujiv CHOPRA (IND) 6:1, 6:2
Finals: Neven Krivokuca – Tejas KAPOOR (IND) 6:3, 6:1

Being Neven and Miro now in the far East area of the World… and making their first ITF experiences together… I would like to congragulate them both with Confucius’ words who noted long time ago how “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”... ;)

Bravo Meštri!