News

23/06/11

16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 continued today... at 6:00 PM the players were nominated Ambassadors and planted their Olive Tree... it is the story of the second Smrikva Bowl day :)...

Second day of the 16th annual it was another long day with a lot of nice matches that started with early morning warm up on the courts and concluded at almost 8 PM with Ambassadors Nomination Cerimony, planting of a traditional Olive Tree, and tennis ballet... :)

Olga, Ksenija and Gianluca were first on the courts this morning warming up with Ivan and Gianluca’s father Luca… and as common sense teach us the early bird gets the worm :)... and Gianluca Quinzi was the surprise of the morning… Ksenija Tmusic passed her round and Olga played the last match of the day and passed her round too… maybe common sense is right… :) who knows… ;)

... the staff was ready as every day…

... and the morning matches started with seeded players… on the court number one Duje Ajdukovic from Split defeated Jan Kupcic from Maribor and confirmed his seeded place…

... on the court number two also Peetu Pohjola from Finland with his big serve, strong forehand and one hand backhand defeated one of the twin brothers Andrija Jevtic from Serbia and confirmed his seeded place too…

Andrija is still small and tiny but in few years time this could change…

... on the court number three Gianluca Quinzi from Italy defeated and surprised Stefan Gligorov from Malaysia…

... Gianluca’s brother Gianluigi is among the Smrikva Bowl winners and Gianluca made today his victory with very smart game…

... Stefan Gligorov is very powerfull player… very strong… but today Gianluca was looking for the solutions and was successful…

Gianluca surprised all of us… his family Carlotta and Luca Quinzi were so proud of their little Gianluca :)... and I recall him when he was 5 years old running around our garden with his grandfather and today… today he was always where the ball was… :)

Nicolas Alvarez Varona from Spain defeated Fabbrizio Andaloro from Italy and confirmed his seeded place… they both showed nice game…

I told to Fabbrizio’s father that his son remind me to Adrian Panatta… very elegant game…

and Nicolas is followed by his father who is strongly dedicated to tennis thus for both players we may hear in the future…

Nemanja Subanovic from Serbia defeated the seeded player Adam Neff from the US…

Nemanja played today better than Adam… with very relaxed arm his balls were really fast… you may get an idea from the picture below…

For Adam, the same us for Stefan Gligorov, this is the first clay experience… only with the experience we learn… just do it…

Mihailo Popovic played Nikola Jevtic... they are both from Serbia and Mihailo was better today…

Mihailo is bigger but they both have a very nice game… the good thing is that Nikola can practice with his twin brother Andrija, while Mihailo with his father who was #1 senior player in Serbia thus both of them have rooms for further progress at home…

...Javier Cueto from Spain defeated seeded player Cezar Cretu from Romania…

... both players showed their ability and Javier was better today… probably Cezar’s extreme grip did not help him today… it is very powerfull but today he needed just a little bit more precission in his strokes…

Daniel Salazar from Spain was another surprise today… he played with second seed player of the 16th Smrikva Bowl Marco Furlanetto from Italy… and was better…

Marco Furlanetto won this year Lemon Bowl but it was not his best day…

Miro Hrvatin’s friend Franko Skugor was looking at some matches yesterday… and he watched Smrikva kids with interest… and was recalling him being that age… :)

I presented Luca Quinzi to Franko… and Luca knew Franko because he played the European under 12 tournaments that is held in Porto San Giorgio and organized by Luca :)...

... thus overall we had great tennis in Smrikve…

and the long second day was concluded with the Ambassadors Nomination Cerimony.

During the cerimony each brought book for the Smrikva Bowl Library was presented and with this year nomination Smrikva Bowl Ambassadors reached 53 countries and all the continents

... they received their certificates…

... and left their signature… probably some of them also understood the story of the given word and trust... Mate Balota :)

I do trust them and it is their word that helped us to reach all the continents… :)

... after the signing of the picture we went all together towards the olive tree that we planted…

and some of them learned also the story of the olive trees flowers smell... and the girl who crossed the world to feel the smell of it… :)

... it happens every year just for a week at the end of May…

and this year cerimony was concluded with a lovely tennis balet and icecream... :)

A lot of good matches are expected today…

I noted over the years that from the first day the quality of the Smrikva Bowl matches is comparable to a second week of a Grand Slam Tournaments…

The day will start with matches at 9:00 AM and for this evening starting at 6:00 PM the first Smrikva Bowl Forum is envisaged…

22/06/11

16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 Draws and second day results...

16^th Smrikva Bowl 2011 Draws and Second Day Results

22/06/11

Some pictures of the 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 actors :)... taken during the first day of their Smrikva Bowl...

When I think of Smrikva Bowl I try to imagine it as a theatre... where every year we work hard to set a stage where the world’s talents can gather… Every year we gather all this different actors, great talents, very special kids, arriving from different cultures, having different dreams,...

We set the stage and later on they are in charge with their will, dreams and hard work… they are the ones who write the most different stories…

Today at 6:00 PM they will become Smrikva Bowl Ambassadors and I would be pleased to walk you through the names of some of the actors you will hear about in this year edition… :)

Let me start to present you from left to right: Miguel Briega Ramos from Spain, from Alcala, the native town of Miguel de Cervantes :)... already very good friend of Stefan Gligorov from Malaysia… both great and inspiring kids… very talented… Stefan played violin as child and one day he may become virtuoso of the tennis racket… Maestro :)...

The other smiling boy close to Stefan is Julio Crespo Padilla from Spain… his smile tells you everything as the smile of Daniela Alvarez close to him… and if you meet the parents of the kids you may understand at least part of the origin of their smile… :)

On the pictures below I would like to continue with the presentation of Mandi Furaji from Tanzania… she has so powerfull strokes… excellent serve, a big forehand… and she is also the first player we ever had on Smrikva Bowl from Tanzania… thus this evening we will get for the first time the Ambassador for Tanzania…

The atmosphere in the garden of Smrikve during the Smrikva Bowl is like the Sunday afternoon at Central Park in New York… :)
the World in one small spot on the Earth…

... and Alisha Ali Hussain on the picture below could confirm the above :)... Alisha is the first player we ever had from Denmark… and as most of the Smrikva Bowl players their origin are always the most different as their passports are several… and Alisha has Pakistan origin as her father told me :)... thus during this evening Cerimony I will please her to try to cover both Denmark and Pakistan for the future Smrikva Bowl talents… she has an excellent tecnique… the forehand that I like… with relaxed follow through that may generate a lot of power in the future…

...on the picture below we have from left to right… Miguel Briega Ramos that I already presented… Duje Ajdukovic from Dalmatia (Croatia)... Duje is the first seeded player of the Smrikva Bowl because traditionally the first seed is in honour given to the best ranked Croatian player… and I know Duje since last year… and in him you can feel the spirit of Dalmatia… the same spirit that tennis lovers could find in the four big names from Split… Goran Ivanisevic, Niki Pilic, Franulovic and Mario Ancic…

Just to give you an example of Duje’s ability with the racket that few weeks ago he played the finals of the Croatian National under 12 Championship… :) and I enjoyed to see him practicing yesterday night with his sister Karla…

“Idemo mala” he used to say to his double friend from Romania last year when they played a funny doubles and I can just tell him “IDEMO DUJE!!!”... :)

... close to Duje there is Stipan Madžar... he is also from Dalmatia and till recently he was ranked #1 in his age group in Croatia… thus I am sure that Duje and Stipan will help each other over the years in growing… close to Stipan you see Julio who was presented above… and the third Musketeer from Dalmatia is Božo Barun... his father helped to grow many Dalmatian tennis players and Božo may benefit from that in the future… :)

Yesterday I had the opportunity to talk to Yshai Oliel :)... he reached last year semifinals… and a part of tennis… Yshai is a boy who over this year with his results helped to write part of the Smrikva Bowl story… and he said to me that he would like to come to practice with Jan in Smrikve while he travels over Europe… that would be nice… :)

The girls below are those who help kids to enjoy the setting of the Smrikve theatre… I took the picture after they stayed for 3 hours on the Sun and you see them relaxing :)... from left to right… Dea, Ari, Silvy and Zrinkic...

On the picture below you see a tennis school book example of the power position of Iva Zelić :)... the same as Duje Ajdukovic she gained the honorary place of the first seed… she is currently the best ranked Croatian player and comes from Zagreb…

On the picture below the girls you see it is not Suzanne Langlen but it is Olga Danilovic... :)... I like this picture and when I saw it I recalled the last book I read about Suzanne and the elegance of her strokes… I know Olga the same as Duje and she is the second seed of this year Smrikva Bowl… this winter she played the finals of the Lemon Bowl in Rome and is the best player in Serbia in her age group…

... her opponent yesterday was a girl from Bosnia and Herzegovina named Zenta Malinović...

... in the following picture I hope you can at least pick up a part of the fighting spirit this little girl has… she played with heart and has an excellent game… it is the top 2 player of Bosnia and Herzegovina and I liked her attitude… she played long points running like Nadal… and in end she was not able to defeat Olga but with smile she shaked her hands and the hand of our Staff Member Nenad who was supervising the court…

... she reminded me to Paula Arias Manon that played last year finals… and when Jan Pochter came close to me I said that and he told me just few minutes ago I said the same to your father :))...

... and for the end of yesterday pictures list I am pleased to share the picture of Duje Ajdukovic training…

Today we continue with the Main Draw in Smrikve and many great matches are expected…

21/06/11

16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 Draws and first day results...

16^th Smrikva Bowl 2011 Draws and First Day Results

21/06/11

16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 started today at 8:30 AM with "Rondo" dancing group.

The balet dancers from the group “Rondo”, the former World Champions, danced for the Smrikva Bowl players the tarantella dance…

With the new countries Smrikva Bowl has reached 53 countries represented on the tournament over the years, and on the 16th annual there are 27 countries represented and many more nations because many Smrikva Bowl kids have several passports :)

The draws are ready and the first matches started…

Tomorrow at 6:00 PM 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 players will be nominated Ambassadors and will plant as per tradition an Olive Tree.

The creation of the Smrikva Bowl Library started last year and the Smrikva Bowl players brought new books representing the culture of the places they are coming from and tomorrow at 6:00 PM each book will be presented.

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.

20/06/11

16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 players list

World in Smrikve ... there are four new countries from which we expect to have new Ambassadors nominated this year: Malaysia, Finland, Denmark and Tanzania thus with the new countries Smrikva Bowl Ambassadors will be spread in 53 countries and all the continents after this year nomination.

The level of the players is expected very high… there are many talented players among 97 registered participants… it should be another good year…

The creation of the Smrikva Bowl Library started few years ago and the Smrikva Bowl players brought new books representing the culture of the places they are coming from… Thank you all!

The names of the players that honoured us with their arrival to Smrikve this year are the following:

Girls

Iva Zelić (CRO)
Jovana Tričković(SRB)
Alexandra Diana Braga (ROM)
Borna Mahač (CRO)
Helene Pellicano(MLT)
Emily Lossau-Meyer (AUT)
Petra Vračević (CRO)
Vesna Savić (SUI)
Ksenija Tmušić (SRB)
Mandi Furaji (TZA)
Snežana Stević(BIH)
Romy Bitorajac(AUT)
Katarina Duić Plumtree (GBR)
Korina Škegro (CRO)
Paula Joukanen(FIN)
Alisha Ali Hussain (DEN)
Renata Cipetić (CRO)
Nina Geissler (SUI)
Lana Brežanin (CRO)
Emilija Kojčić (SRB)
Laura Benešova(CZE)
Ilinca Arina Baranescu (ROM)
Kornelia Hunčak(CRO)
Anita Gavran (AUT)
Katarina Tričković (SRB)
Eloise Saraty (GBR)
Betina Tokac (TUR)
Monika Dedaj (CRO)
Sara Paunović (SUI)
Anja Lujić(BIH)
Valentina del Marco (ITA)
Daniela Alvarez(ESP)
Anđela Skrobonja (SRB)
Oana Smaranda Corneanu(ROM)
Ines Perić(CRO)
Viviane Handschin (SUI)
Alexandra Večić(GER)
Ema Šiljić(CRO)
Valentina Čavić(AUT)
Žaneta Malinović (BIH)
Olga Danilović (SRB)

Boys

Duje Ajduković (CRO)
Ioan Carp-Carare (ROM)
Jan Kupčič(SLO)
Adamek Makary(POL)
Lovro Suevich (CRO)
Miguel Briega Ramos(ESP)
Eric Vanshelboim (UKR)
Peetu Pohjola (FIN)
Andrija Jevtić (SRB)
Emre Eren Önal(TUR)
Matija Volarević(CRO)
Nico Schmalz (AUT)
Vanja Drobnjac(BIH)
Omer Artsi (ISR)
Stefan Gligorov(MYS)
Miro Mirković (MNE)
Gianluca Quinzi(ITA)
Alejandro Serrano Osoba (ESP)
Matija Žugić (SRB)
Michele Vianello(ITA)
Tim Tekavec (SLO)
Luka Đurđević (BIH)
Manuel Massimino (ITA)
Roko Horvat (CRO)
Samuel Pesko (AUT)
Julio Crespo Padilla (ESP)
Nemanja Subanović (SRB)
Adam Neff(USA)
Nicolás Álvarez Varona (ESP)
Ivan Brajko (CRO)
Fabbrizio Andaloro (ITA)
Viktor Jović (ARE)
Mai Vidovič (SLO)
Leon Jukić(CRO)
Lancelot Carnello (SWE)
Jiri Barnat(CZE)
Nemanja Malešević (BIH)
Herman Hagen Hoyeraal (NOR)
Tian Spajić (CRO)
Nikola Jevtić (SRB)
Simone Padovani (ITA)
Mihailo Popović(SRB)
Cezar Cretu (ROM)
Javier Cueto (ESP)
Filip Olech(POL)
Stipan Madžar (CRO)
Arslan Baković(BIH)
Filip Jeff Planinšek (SLO)
Filip Mišolić (AUT)
Sergiu Mancioc(TUR)
Božo Barun (CRO)
Grgo Dujmović(CRO)
Dušan Obradović (SRB)
Daniel Salazar Martinez Apuricio(ESP)
Gabrijel Kajić (CRO)
Marco Furlanetto (ITA)

The openning cerimony is scheduled for 8:30 AM this morning while, tomorrow at 6:00 PM 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 players will be nominated Smrikva Bowl Ambassadors that will be followed by the cerimony of the Olive Tree planting…

20/06/11

16th Smrikva Bowl 2001 players final registration process started in Smrikve...

Yesterday we started the registration process for the 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 edition and as per tradition every player to register for the tournament has to bring a book representing the culture of the place he is coming from thus contribute to create the Smrikva Bowl Library.

During the Ambassadors nomination cerimony on Wednesday the book they brougth will have their Ambassadors’ certificates in it :)... Miguel Briega Ramos brought to Smrikve a big book written by Miguel Cervantes… they are from the same city…

Late in the evening it was a great pleasure to assist to Miguel’s game with Stefan Gligorov from Malaysia… two great players…

The book that Ioan from Romania is signing is named Delta Dunarii… the river that inspired many people… :) “na lijepom plavom dunavu”...

During the final registration process the players get the final instructions and tips that should help them in understanding the weekly program… to remember to wear the t-shirt and cap they get for the openning cerimony that is scheduled for tomorrow morning 8:30 AM… and not to forget the racket during the Ambassadors’ nomination cerimony when they will plant their Olive Tree… :)

Every book that they bring is signed… thus the special Smrikva Bowl library is the library with names… the little talent names that will have the opportunity to exchange ideas on talents on the Smrikva Bowl Forum that will be held on Thursday evening with some grill that Miro and Dario will prepare :)

The courts are also full of talents that are tasting the clay courts… for some of them coming from far away it is the first experience on clay thus something to remember… :)

17/06/11

First 16th Smrikva Bowl 2001 players arrived and started to practice in Smrikve... Peetu Pohjola, Omer Artsi and Adam Neff...

Few days ago the first Smrikva Bowl players of the 16th annual started to gather in Smrikve…

The first player who reached Smrikve with his family was Peetu Pohjola... Peetu is one of the best players in Finland in his age group and is the first player from Finland in the Smrikva Bowl history… we did a tennis lesson in Spanish that I hope he will remember :)... he likes Spanish! and has very nice strokes… it is one hand backhand player that is not so often to see in the under 10 age group… but he does it very well!

Omer Artsi is one of the best players from Israel who come in Smrikve with his father and with Jan Pochter. I was very pleased to meet Omer and I was very pleased to meet Jan Pochter too who was last year in Smrikve with Yshai Oliel... 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 semifinalist… Jan came in our house with the gift like a friend and with his big smile that he always share with people :))

I enjoyed watching Omer’s way of spinning the ball the same way I enjoyed listening to Jan about Yshai’s progress over the last year… I was pleased to see Yshai’s pictures from various countries he visited over the last year… and the picture that I watched with particular feeling was Yshai sharing something with the President of his country… that picture made me feel very proud of little Yshai!....

Adam Neff arrived third in Smrikve after Peetu and Omer… and Adam is one of the best players in his age group in the US... he came to Smrikve with Lance Luciani... Lance to me is one of those people that dedicated a lot of their living to tennis game…

I watched all DVD’s Lance Luciani made on Strategy Zone with Nick Bollettieri and is part of my video library and I am so honored to have since yesterday the DVD compilation received directly from Lance :)... Thanks Lance!

Adam is a great boy… he likes to spin the ball, work hard and make winners… it has a great serve and like to hit the ball hard… I enjoyed watching him today playing with Leon and Max... and my boys enjoyed playing with him :)

Tomorrow more players are expected to reach Smrikve…

17/06/11

16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 Press Release for the local media

SVIM MEDIJIMA

Pula, 17. lipanj 2010

Tenis klub „Smrikve“ iz Pule, Štinjanska cesta 91, na svojim terenima od 21. do 25. lipnja 2011. godine organizira tradicionalno međunarodno sportsko natjecanje – 16.ti „Smrikva Bowl“ 2011 – jedan od najprestižnijih teniskih susreta do 10 godina u svijetu, na kojem će sudjelovati stotinjak talenata iz 30-tak zemalja svijeta. (http://www.smrikve.com/smrikva-bowl/)

Smrikva se rađa s idejom „nešto više od tenisa“ i od svog osnivanja 1996.godine privukla je preko 1200 talenata, iz 50 zemalja svijeta i sa svih kontinenata…

Iz ovogodišnjeg programa izdvajamo:

21.06.2011.

8:30 – svečano otvaranje

22.06.2011

18:00 – čin postajanja Ambasadora Smrikva Bowl-a, sadnja masline, dodjela poklona i povelja Ambasadorima, predstavljanje knjiga Ambasadora te predstavljanje kulturnog vodiča „Istria from Smrikve“

23.06.2011

18:00 – Smrikva Bowl Forum

24.06.2011

9:00 – četvrtfinale
13:00 – posjet Nacionalnom Parku Brijuni
17:00 – polufinale

25.06.2011

9:00 – finale
13:00 – svečana dodjela nagrada i zatvaranje Smrikva Bowl-a

Smrikva Bowl živi na radu volontera i dugogodišnjih prijatelja Smrikve kojima idu posebne zahvale.

TENIS KLUB SMRIKVE

Kontakt: Miodrag Božović
Press: Rossana Matejčić – Miljević

17/06/11

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

Only 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 the junior tennis.

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 #268 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 #592 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 #1394 on ATP ranking list.
Dino Marcan, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #608 on ATP ranking list.

GIRLS
Petra MARTIC, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #100 on WTA list. Petra’s best raning was #63 on WTA list in April 2010.
Indire Akiki, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #674 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 #234 on ATP list.
Giacomo Miccini, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Italy, was ranked #1826 on ATP list in May 2009.

GIRLS
Martina Caregaro, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 winner, from Italy, is ranked #467 on WTA ranking list.
Ajla TOMLJANOVIC, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #166 on WTA list.
Ema BURGIC, ranked 3rd on 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #805 on WTA list.

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

BOYS
Dominic THIEM, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner, from Austria, is ranked #900 on ATP ranking list. Junior ROLAND GARROS 2011 finalist.
George MORGAN, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Great Britain, is ranked #999 on ATP ranking list. Under 18 DUNLOP ORANGE BOWL 2010 winner.
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, was ranked #1187 on WTA list.
Silvia NJIRIC, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #518 on WTA list.
Ajla TOMLJANOVIC, ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, from Croatia, is ranked #166 on WTA list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Emmett EGGER, played 2nd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #98 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 #924 on ITF ranking list.
Miki JANKOVIC, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #45 on ITF ranking list.

GIRLS
Saska GAVRILOVSKA, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 winner, from Serbia, is ranked #74 on ITF ranking list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Mitchel POLNET, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #247 on ITF ranking list.

Blair SHANKLE, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #207 on ITF ranking list.
Anna MAMALAT, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #524 on WTA 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 #151 on ITF ranking list.
Laslo DJERE, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #303 on ITF ranking list.
Gianluigi QUINZI, ranked 3rd on 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005, from Italy, is ranked #93 on ITF ranking list.
Nikola MILOJEVIC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 Consolation tournament winner, from Serbia, is ranked #23 on ITF ranking list.

GIRLS
Saska GAVRILOVSKA, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 winner, from Serbia, is ranked #74 on ITF ranking list.
Olga IANCHUK, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Ukraine, is ranked #1146 on WTA list, and is ranked #95 on ITF ranking list.
Irina Maria BARA, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Romania, is ranked #143 on ITF ranking list.
Donna VEKIC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Croatia, is ranked #843 on WTA list*and is ranked #*36 on ITF ranking list.

“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 #93 on ITF ranking list.
Filip Kraljevic, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #536 in Europe in under 16 cathegory.

GIRLS
Eleanor DEAN, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner, from Great Britain, is ranked #132 on ITF ranking list.
Dina Paocic, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 runner up, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #1229 in Europe in under 16 cathegory.

“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 #43 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 #13 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Bogdan BORZA, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up, from Romania, is ranked #2 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Gonzalo MORELL, ranked 3rd on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Spain, is ranked #65 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Sergiu BUCUR, ranked 4th on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Romania, is ranked #11 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.

GIRLS
Ana KONJUH, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #5 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Nina POTOCNIK, ranked 3rd on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Slovenia, is ranked #31 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Eduardo NAVA, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #8 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Tommy PAUL, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #9 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.

Ndindi NDUNDA, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #3 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Domonique Garley, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #342 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 #344 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Mihnea Turcu, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 runner up, from Romania, is ranked #591 in Europe in under 14 european ranking list.
Grega KOKALJ, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Slovenia, is ranked *#182 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Andrea Guerrieri, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Italy, is ranked #439 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

GIRLS
Katarina JOKIC, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 winner, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked *#27 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*. Under 12 EDDIE HERR INTERNATIONAL 2010 winner.
Maia LUMSDEN, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 runner up, from Scotland, is ranked #37 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Viktoria KUZMOVA, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Slovakia, is ranked #24 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Estela Perez Somarriba, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Spain, is still not ranked on under 14 european ranking list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Justin LEE, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #367 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
William BLUMBERG, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked *#503 in the USA in under 12 cathegory*.

Ingrid NEEL, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #47 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Paulina Ferrari, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #410 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 too young for under 14 european ranking.
Samuele Ramazzotti, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 runner up, from Italy, is too young for 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 too young for under 14 european ranking.

GIRLS
Katie Swan, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 winner, from United Kingdom, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Jovana Vukovic, 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 too young for under 14 european ranking.
Arianna Capogrosso, ranked 3rd on 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009, from Italy, is too young for under 14 european ranking.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Noah SCHACHTER, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #3 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Alex Gee, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #43 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.

Michaela GORDON, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #12 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Ashley LAHEY, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked *#69 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 #724 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.

Claire LIU, played 9th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #15 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Alexa Butera, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked *#163 in the USA in under 12 cathegory*.

16/06/11

Smrikva Bowl players - Borna Coric and Ivana Jorovic - reached the finals of 47th Trophy Avvenire in Milan (Italy) - one of the most prestigious under 16 tournaments in the World, while Ana Konjuh and Georgia Marchetti reached the semifinals

Smrikva Bowl players – Ivana Jorovic and Borna Coric – reached the finals of 47th Trophy Avvenire in Milan (Italy), while Ana Konjuh and Georgia Marchetti reached the semifinals and Giulia Pairone the quarterfinals!

Great result of the Smrikva Bowl players considering the fact that Torneo Avvenire is considered one of the most prestigious under 16 tennis tournaments in the World.

I am pleased to share the results of the players that reached the best results in Milan.

Borna Coric’s road to the finals at 47th edition of Torneo Avvenire played in Milan was the following:

1st round: Borna Coric – Oleksandr GULYEVSKYY (Ukr) 6:2, 6:2
2nd round: Borna Coric – Marc COLLADO CASTELLS (Esp) 6:3,6:1
3rd round: Borna Coric – Daniel KERZNERMAN (Usa) 6:0, 6:2
Quarterfinals: Borna Coric – Noah RUBIN (Usa) 7:6, 6:4
Semifinals: Borna Coric – Filippo BALDI (Ita) 5:7, 6:4, 6:2
Finals: Borna Coric -A.ALCARAZ IVORRA (Esp) 1:6, 0:6

Ivana Jorovic’s road to the finals at 47th edition of Torneo Avvenire played in Milan was the following:

1st round: Ivana Jorovic – Tatjana VOROBJOVA (Est) 6:4,5:7,6:2
2nd round: Ivana Jorovic – Claudia MARINI (Ita) 6:2, 6:2
3rd round: Ivana Jorovic – Stephanie Mariel PETIT (Arg) 6:2,7:5
Quarterfinals: Ivana Jorovic – Polina NOVOSELOVA (Rus) 6:2, 6:3
Semifinals: Ivana Jorovic – Ana KONJUH (Cro) 6:3, 6:4
Finals: Ivana Jorovic – Jelena OSTAPENKO (Lva) 5:7, 2:6

The other top former Smrikva Bowl players in the Girls Draw reached the following results:

Ana Konjuh (CRO) – semifinals, Georgia Marchetti (Ita) – semifinals, Giulia Pairone (ITA) – quarterfinals, Dea Herdzelas (BiH) – 1st round, Bianka Bekefi (Hun) – 2nd round, Jana Fett (Cro) – 3rd round, Silvia Chinelato (Ita) – 2nd round.

In the boys Main Draw former Smrikva Bowl players reached the following:

Ivan Divkovic (Cro) – 2nd round, Robert Dula (Cro) – 2nd round, Sacha Merzetti (Ita) – 1st round, Neven Krivokuca (Cro) – 2nd round.

Congratulations!

14/06/11

Few words about inspiring... dedicated to the 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 players...

In a week time the 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 will start and most of the 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 players and families are making their final preparations for their trip towards Smrikve… Pula… Istria… Croatia… Europe… and some of them are already on the road…

The following note was written some times ago… and are welcome words from Smrikve to the 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 tennis talents gathering edition…

Smrikve, January 2010

INSPIRING…

When I think of Smrikva Bowl I try to imagine it as a theatre where every year we work hard to set a stage where the world’s talents can gather… Every year we gather all this different actors, great talents, very special kids, arriving from different cultures, having different dreams,...

We set the stage and later on they are in charge with their will, dreams and hard work… they are the ones who write the most different stories…

Smrikva Bowl is still very young tournament but I would like to think that some of these kids will write nice and inspiring stories in most different professional fields.

I also know that according to the statistics only few of the kids participating Smrikva Bowl will make it to become top professional tennis players, but I like to think that they will make it in other professional fields they choose in their lives.

I was recently reading Andre Agassi’s book and throught the whole book he was repeating to friends and people meeting during his life that he doesn’t like tennis thus it seems to me that he never had the option to choose, but in end he ended up being the Champion and according to Luke Jensen a person with big heart and very good friend.

I will never know how many kids playing Smrikva Bowl are playing it because their parents would like them to become professional tennis players and how mutch of them play it because they enjoy the game.

What I do know is that any kind of sport can help kids in their growth and I also know that people that do excel in any field require total dedication and a lot of sacrifice to reach the excellence.

When I think of Andre’s words of not loving what he was doing for most of the time of his life I start thinking of other 90% of people around the World that make for living doing jobs they do not like, but “La vita e’ bella” Roberto Benigni would say and tennis helped Andre to grow up.

There is one part in the book that I liked a lot… it is about inspiration, faith and what does it mean to be a good coach... to have the right word in the right moment… this part is related with Gil… and is about people that do beleive in other people and help them to write their life stories and to write their own one…

Here are Gil’s words reported by Andre in his book when he accepted to caoch him:

“I’m not one of those people who expresses or articulates feelings very well, but from now on, just know this: It’s on, man. It is on.

You know what I’m saying? We’are in a fight, and you can count on me until the last man is standing. Somewhere up there is a star with your name on it. I might not be able to help you find it, but I’ve got pretty strong shoulders, and you can stand on my shoulders while you’re looking for that star. You hear? For as long as you want. Stand on my shoulders and reach, man. Reach.”

In every life there are people that influence what we do and how we do it.

The Smrikva Bowl festival would like to inspire its players and Ambassadors to beleive in their dreams and work hard to reach them.

Sport and music are in general good educators and the vision of sport prefered in Smrikve is the one Nelson Mandela once said:

“Sport has the power to change the world, the power to inspire and the power to unite people in a way little else can – it is an instrument of peace.”

Miodrag Bozovic

13/06/11

For the 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 players: directions for the Smrikve Tennis Club and Villa Smrikve if you arrive by car…

From the highway that goes towards Pula you need to exit the highway in Vodnjan (Brijuni Islands)...

...than drive another 10 km straight forward (on your left side you will pass nearby 3 gasoline station)...

and when you arrive to the third gasoline station turn right following Fazana (Brijuni) directions…

...drive another 1 km and turn left towards *Stinjan*…

...after 500 meters you will arrive to the Smrikve Tennis Club and Villa Smrikve.

10/06/11

Petra Martic, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, reached the semifinals of Copenhagen 2011 - Denmark (USD 220.000)

Petra Martic, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, is the best ranked former Smrikva Bowl player on WTA – #112 on WTA list.

This week she played great tennis in Copenhagen – Denmark and reached the semifinals of USD 220.000 worth tournament played there.

Petra Martic road towards her semifinals in Copenhagen 2011 was the following:

1st round: Petra Martic – Vitalia DIATCHENKO (RUS) 6:2, 6:2
2nd round: Petra Martic – Simona HALEP (ROU) 6:3, 5:7, 7:5
Quarterfinals: P.Martic – Alona BONDARENKO (UKR) 6:4, 3:6, 6:3
Semifinals: Petra Martic-Lucie SAFAROVA (CZE) 6:1,4:6,2:6

The ranking of the players that Petra played is the following:

Vitalia DIATCHENKO (RUS) – # 167 WTA list
Simona HALEP (ROU) – # 60 WTA list
Alona BONDARENKO (UKR) – # 114 WTA list
Lucie SAFAROVA (CZE) – # 38 WTA list

Congratulations Petra!

03/06/11

Smrikva Bowl players on JUNIOR KOPER OPEN 2011 - under 12: Miomir Kecmanovic and Anastasia Mikheeva are the winners; Arianna Capogrosso played the finals, while Kristina Novak reached the semifinals...

Last week Anastasia Mikheeva, Smrikva Bowl player and this year OPEN SUPER 12 AURAY 2011 winner was in Smrikve preparing for the tournament played this week in Kopar in Slovenia…

On Sunday, last year Smrikva Bowl winner and 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 finalist, Jovana Vukovic JOKA joined her in Smrikve thus they had the opportunity to play a bit together and share an ice-cream :)... because JOKA was on her road to Kopar too…

There were many top Smrikva Bowl players in the Main Draw, on top of the players mentioned above, that I am pleased to recall and that reached the quarterfinals and more: such as Kristina Novak, last year Smrikva Bowl semifinalist, Miomir Kecmanovic – KECA, who likes to spend his summer training vacation in Smrikve with her friend Nina, Karlo Suevich last year Smrikva Bowl finalist, Giulia Turconi, Arianna Capogrosso...

Detailed results of the Smrikva Bowl players on this year JUNIOR KOPER OPEN 2011 are the following:

GIRLS:

Anastasia MIKHEEVA (Uk) – 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 player
1st round: Anastasia Mikheeva – bye
2nd round: Anastasia Mikheeva – Lisa PICCINETTI (Ita) 6:0, 6:1
3rd round: Anastasia Mikheeva – Lian BENEDEJCIC (Slo) 6:1, 6:0
Quarterfinals: Anastasia Mikheeva – Stefany GRLJ (Slo) 6:1, 6:2
Semifinals: A.Mikheeva – Kristina NOVAK (Slo) 6:4, 6:0
Ffinals: Anastasia Mikheeva – A.CAPOGROSSO (Ita) 6:4, 6:3

Arianna CAPOGROSSO (I)-14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 semifinalist
1st round: Arianna Capogrosso – bye
2nd round: A.Capogrosso – Hella Linda SEPMAN (Est) 6:0,6:0
3rd round: Arianna Capogrosso – Iva GABOR (Slo) 6:1, 6:0
Quarterfinals: A.Capogrosso – Camilla CIACCIA (Ita) 6:1, 6:0
Semifinals: A. Capogrosso – K. KAMSKAYA (Rus) 6:2, 6:0
Finals: A. Capogrosso – Anastasia MIKHEEVA (Uk) 4:6, 3:6

Kristina NOVAK (Slo) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 semifinalist
1st round: Kristina Novak – bye
2nd round: Kristina Novak- Chiara CATINI (Ita) 6:1, 0:6, 6:0
3rd round: Kristina Novak- Anja GAL (Slo) 6:2, 6:0
Quarterfinals: Kristina Novak – Giulia TURCONI (Ita) 6:2, 6:4
Semifinals: Kristina Novak – A.MIKHEEVA (UK) 4:6, 0:6

Jovana VUKOVIC – JOKA (Srb) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 winner and 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 runner up
1st round: Jovana Vukovic – bye
2nd round: Jovana Vukovic – Urska VELEC (Slo) 6:0, 6:0
3rd round: Jovana Vukovic – Nika RADISIC (Slo) 6:3, 6:0
Quarterfinals: J. Vukovic – Kristina KAMSKAYA (Rus) 6:7, 3:6

Giulia TURCONI (Ita) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 player
1st round: Giulia Turconi – Lara JAMSEK (Slo) 6:0, 6:1
2nd round: Giulia Turconi – Anja TRBEZNIK (Slo) 6:1, 6:0
3rd round: Giulia Turconi – Csenge FURAK (Hun) 6:0, 6:4
Quarterfinals: Giulia Turconi – Kristina NOVAK (Slo) 2:6, 4:6

The other Smrikva Bowl players that I recognized in the girls draw that did not reached the quarterfinals are: Tina Cvetkovic (1st round), Andja Karanusic (3rd round), Anja Gal (3rd round) and Benedetta Ivaldi (1st round).

BOYS:

Miomir KECMANOVIC (Srb) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 player
1st round: Miomir Kecmanovic – Gabriele FAVA (Ita) 6:0, 6:0
2nd round: Miomir Kecmanovic – Vito TONEJC (Cro) 6:0, 6:0
3rd round: Miomir Kecmanovic-Yan BONDAREVSKIY (Rus) 6:0,6:1
Quarterfinals: Miomir Kecmanovic – Lenard SOHA (Hun) 7:6, 6:1
Semifinals: Miomir Kecmanovic – A.STRADI (Ita) 6:2, 6:1
Finals: Miomir Kecmanovic – Zsombor PIROS (Hun) 6:3, 6:1

Karlo SUEVICH (Cro) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 finalist
1st round: Karlo Suevich – Mark MESARIC (Slo) 6:0, 6:1
2nd round: Karlo Suevich – Benjamin GRABER (Aut) 6:2, 6:3
3rd round: Karlo Suevich – Jan VEHOVEC (Slo) 6:0, 6:1
Quarterfinals: K. Suevich – Alessandro STRADI (Ita) 1:6, 3:6

Karlo DIVKOVIC (Cro) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 player
1st round: Karlo Divkovic – Simon S.KEUSCHNIG (Aut) 6:1, 6:0
2nd round: Karlo Divkovic – Bence TAMAS (Hun) 6:0, 6:1
3rd round: Karlo Divkovic – Zan GORENEC DIEMAT (Slo) 6:1, 7:6
Quarterfinals: Karlo Divkovic – Gabriel HUBER (Aut) 0:6, 3:6

The other Smrikva Bowl players that I recognized in the boys draw that did not reached the quarterfinals are: Vito Tonejc (2nd round), Matic Zaplotnik (2nd round), Matic Podlipnik (2nd round), Renzo Paro (1st round), Andrej Omeragic (3rd round), Jan Kupcic (1st round), Borna Cilic Kraljevic (3rd round) and Alen Mujanovic (1st round).

31/05/11

Smrikva Bowl players on Junior Roland Garros: Dominic THIEM, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner, reached the FINALS, while Robin Kern and Miki Jankovic, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2010 runner up, reached the quarterfinals

There were several Smrikva Bowl players that I saw competing in the Main Draw of this year Junior Roland Garros 2011… actually the exact number is 10… and this morning I received an e-mail from a Smrikva Bowl friend who was saying that the Draw was full of the Smrikva Bowl Boys and Girls :)...

Dominic THIEM reached the FINALS while Miki Jankovic and Robin Kern reached the quarterfinals.

Combining the two draws (boys and girls) you get a total of 128 players, and the fact that there were 10 players in the Main Draw is a pleasure to read… many years have passed since they played their Smrikva Bowl and they are still competing at high level…

In the Main Draw there were 3 players in the quarterfinals which is really a great result!

In the following you can read more detailed results related to former Smrikva Bowl players on this year Junior Roland Garros played in Paris:

Boys:

Dominic Thiem (Aut) – 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner
1st round: Dominic Thiem – Kyle Edmund (GBR) 6:3, 6:2
2nd round: Dominic Thiem – Mitchell Krueger (USA) 6:3, 6:2
3rd round: Dominic Thiem – Filip Horansky (SVK) 6:4, 6:1
Quarterfinals: Dominic Thiem – Oriol Roca Batalla (ESP) 6:3,6:2
Semifinals: Dominic Thiem – Mate Delic (CRO) 3:6, 6:3, 6:1
Finals: Dominic Thiem – Bjorn Fratangelo (USA) 6:3, 3:6, 6:8

Miki Jankovic (Srb) – 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 runner up
1st round: Miki Jankovic – Wayne Montgomery (RSA) 7:5, 6:2
2nd round: Miki Jankovic – Bruno Sant’Anna (BRA) 7:5, 6:4
3rd round: Miki Jankovic – Yaraslau Shyla (BLR) 3:6, 7:5, 6:1
Quarterfinals: Miki Jankovic – Mate Delic (CRO) 2:6, 5:7

Robin Kern (Ger) – 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 player
1st round: Robin Kern – Teodor Nicolae Marin (ROU) 6:3, 6:1
2nd round: Robin Kern – A.Artunedo Martinavarr (ESP) 6:1, 6:2
3rd round: Robin Kern – Lukas Vrnak (CZE) 7:6, 6:0
Quarterfinals: Robin Kern – Tristan Lamasine (FRA) 4:6, 6:7

George Morgan (UK) – 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up
1st round: George Morgan – Mate Delic (CRO) 7:6, 6:7, 5:7

Gianluigi Quinzi (Ita) – 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner
1st round: Gianluigi Quinzi – Sean Berman (AUS) 6:1, 5:7, 5:7

Filip Veger (Cro) – 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 player
1st round: Filip Veger – Andrew Whittington (AUS) 6:7, 4:6

Nikola Milojevic (Srb) – 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 consolation draw winner
1st round: Nikola Milojevic – A.Alvarez Llamas (ESP) 6:7,6:2,4:6

Girls:

Donna Vekic (CRO) – Smrikva Bowl player
1st round: Donna Vekic – Chloe Paquet (FRA) 6:2, 6:2
2nd round: Donna Vekic – Miyu Kato (JPN) 4:6, 6:1, 6:4
3rd round: Donna Vekic – Irina Khromacheva (RUS) 4:6, 2:6

Ilka Csoregi(Rom) – 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 semifinalists
1st round: Ilka Csoregi – Lea Tholey (FRA) 6:4, 6:1
2nd round: Ilka Csoregi – Danka Kovinic (MNE) 6:7, 1:6

Christina Makarova (USA) – 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl 2006 player
1st round: Christina Makarova – Irina Khromacheva (RUS) 2:6,1:6

30/05/11

Jovana Vukovic - JOKA, 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 winner, visited Smrikve and met with Anastasia Mikheeva, this year winner of Open Super 12 AURAY 2011 :)

I shared with Smrikve community the news that last week Anastasia Mikheeva was preparing for a tournament in Smrikve… and the same night when I posted the news I received a phone call from Vukovic family that was on their road to Kopar in Slovenia…

Jovana Vukovic JOKA is going to the same tournament Anastasia was preparing for and they decided to change a little bit their route and come to say hello to us in Smrikve :)...

On Saturday Anastasia had her 12th birtdhay… but she trained all day and we left for the Sunday launch time the ice-cream celebration moment :)...

WHY ICE-CREAM? :)

When Anastasia came to Smrikve the first thing she told me she remembered from her Smrikva Bowl was the ice-cream :)...

Jovana Vukovic – JOKA played Smrikva Bowl twice. In 2010 she won the tournament and in 2009 she played the finals against Katie Swan...

Katie is Anastasia’s friend and UK team member, together with another Smrikva Bowl player, Georgina Axon... thus JOKA and Anastasia had the opportunity to exchange news on common friends…

In Smrikve Anastasia had the opportunity to play with Silvia and Ari during her stay, and on Sunday she was scheduled to play with *Max... with JOKA’s surprise we decided that Max would play one set and JOKA would play the second set… and this was the first time for JOKA and Mikheeva to play…

It was great to have in Smrikve two former Smikva Bowl girls that dedicate so much of their time to build the talent… today there are still among top girls in their age groups in the World…

In end we finished the family gathering around the table with a good launch and the ice-cream for Mikheeva’s birthday… :)... the cat Johnny was also behind enjoying the moment…

The girls also decided to play doubles together in Kopar… thus BEST WISHES GIRLS!!! :)

28/05/11

Anastasia Mikheeva, former Smrikva Bowl player and the winner of Open Super 12 AURAY 2011, is spending some time in Smrikve... preparing for her clay season

I am pleased to share with Smrikve community the news that this week Anastasia Mikheeva is preparing for a tournament in Smrikve.

Anastasia played Smrikva Bowl in 2007 and is living in Edinburg (Scotland) thus she is more used to play on hard courts and her father Andrei, who also coach her, decided to bring her to Smrikve and take the opportunity to practice a bit on clay.

It is always a pleasure to meet former Smrikva Bowl players growing the way Anastasia does, and years after Smrivka Bowl, being in tennis the way she is…

I promissed to Andrei to organize some training matches for Anastasia thus already two other Smrikva Bowl players that are training with me Ari and Silvia have the opportunity to enjoy each other game :)... and as soon as Max return from his school vacation he will play with Anastasia too…

I am pleased to recall that Anastasia Mikheeva is one of the best players in her age group in the World and she won this year OPEN SUPER 12 AURAY.

OPEN SUPER 12 AURAY is played since 1985 and many top world players played this tournament considered one of the most important under 12 International Tournaments in the World.

Some of the known names are: Les Français Richard GASQUET, Gaël MONFILS, Paul-Henri MATHIEU, Julien BENNETEAU, Tommy ROBREDO, Raphaël NADAL, Mickaël YOUZNY, Féliciano LOPEZ, Amélie MAURESMO, Justine HENIN, Kim CLIJSTERS and Dinara SAFINA.

Last year winner of the girls draw was Maia LUMSDEN, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 runner up, from Scotland while this year OPEN SUPER 12 AURAY 2011 winner was Anastasia MIKHEEVA 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 player. Anastasia Mikheeva was among the very few players that played Smrikva Bowl at age of 8 years.

Detailed results of her performance on this year OPEN Super 12 – AURAY 2011 was the following:

Anastasia MIKHEEVA (Uk) – 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 player
1st round: Anastasia Mikheeva – Kelia LE BIHAN (Fra) 6:0, 6:0
2nd round: Anastasia Mikheeva – Pauline DORE (Fra) 6:1, 6:0
3rd round: Anastasia Mikheeva – Inci Ogut (Tur) 6:1, 6:2
Quarterfinals: Anastasia Mikheeva – D.GINOCCHIO (I) 6:4, 6:4
Semifinals: A.Mikheeva – M. VONDROUSOVA (Cze) 6:1, 7:6
Finals: Anastasia Mikheeva -Anna SLOVAKOVA (Cze) 6:2,7:5

Meeting of the former Smrikva Bowl players has another beauty… it is a way to learn more about former Smrikva Bowl players around the World because Anastasia is good friend with several other top Smrikva Bowl players :)...

12/05/11

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

Only 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 the junior tennis.

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 #258 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, 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 #1366 on ATP ranking list.
Dino Marcan, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #643 on ATP ranking list.

GIRLS
Petra MARTIC, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #114 on WTA list. Petra’s best raning was #63 on WTA list in April 2010.
Indire Akiki, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #648 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 #245 on ATP list.
Giacomo Miccini, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Italy, was ranked #1760 on ATP list in May 2009.

GIRLS
Martina Caregaro, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 winner, from Italy, is ranked #433 on WTA ranking list.
Ajla TOMLJANOVIC, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #169 on WTA list.
Ema BURGIC, ranked 3rd on 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #729 on WTA list.

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

BOYS
Dominic THIEM, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner, from Austria, is ranked #920 on ATP ranking list and is ranked #3 on ITF ranking list. Under 18 EDDIE HERR INTERNATIONAL 2010 winner.
George MORGAN, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Great Britain, is ranked #957 on ATP ranking list and is ranked #7 on ITF ranking list. Under 18 DUNLOP ORANGE BOWL 2010 winner.
Ciprian PORUMB, ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, from Romenia, is ranked #800 on ITF ranking list.

GIRLS
Jennifer Ren, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner, from Great Britain, was ranked #1123 on WTA list.
Silvia NJIRIC, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #590 on WTA list.
Ajla TOMLJANOVIC, ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, from Croatia, is ranked #169 on WTA list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Emmett EGGER, played 2nd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #89 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 #1174 on ITF ranking list.
Miki JANKOVIC, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #63 on ITF ranking list.

GIRLS
Saska GAVRILOVSKA, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 winner, from Serbia, is ranked #77 on ITF ranking list.
Ecaterina Oproiu, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 runner up, from Romenia, not ranked on ITF ranking list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Mitchel POLNET, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #207 on ITF ranking list.

Blair SHANKLE, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #211 on ITF ranking list.
Anna MAMALAT, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #416 on WTA 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 #179 on ITF ranking list.
Laslo DJERE, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #291 on ITF ranking list.
Gianluigi QUINZI, ranked 3rd on 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005, from Italy, is ranked #92 on ITF ranking list.
Nikola MILOJEVIC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 Consolation tournament winner, from Serbia, is ranked #21 on ITF ranking list.

GIRLS
Saska GAVRILOVSKA, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 winner, from Serbia, is ranked #77 on ITF ranking list.
Olga IANCHUK, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Ukraine, is ranked #926 on WTA list, and is ranked #76 on ITF ranking list.
Irina Maria BARA, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Romania, is ranked #149 on ITF ranking list.
Donna VEKIC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Croatia, is ranked #989 on WTA list*and is ranked #*43 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 #92 on ITF ranking list and #2 in Europe in under 16 cathegory.
Filip Kraljevic, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #470 in Europe in under 16 cathegory.

GIRLS
Eleanor DEAN, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner, from Great Britain, is ranked #124 on ITF ranking list.
Dina PAOCIC, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 runner up, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #703 in Europe in under 16 cathegory.

Christina MAKAROVA, played 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #46 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 #13 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Bogdan BORZA, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up, from Romania, is ranked #4 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Gonzalo MORELL, ranked 3rd on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Spain, is ranked #85 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Sergiu BUCUR, ranked 4th on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Romania, is ranked #10 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Eduardo NAVA, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #7 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Tommy PAUL, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #9 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 #298 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Mihnea Turcu, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 runner up, from Romania, is still not ranked on under 14 european ranking list.
Grega KOKALJ, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Slovenia, is ranked *#135 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Andrea Guerrieri, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Italy, is ranked #596 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

GIRLS
Katarina JOKIC, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 winner, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked *#49 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*. Under 12 EDDIE HERR INTERNATIONAL 2010 winner.
Maia LUMSDEN, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 runner up, from Scotland, is ranked #30 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Viktoria KUZMOVA, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Slovakia, is ranked #32 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Estela Perez Somarriba, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Spain, is still not ranked on under 14 european ranking list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Justin LEE, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #485 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
William BLUMBERG, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked *#519 in the USA in under 12 cathegory*.

Ingrid NEEL, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #56 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Paulina Ferrari, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #476 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

“Little Mo” TEAM
Noah SCHACHTER, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #2 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Alex Gee, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #49 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.

Michaela GORDON, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #22 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Ashley LAHEY, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked *#66 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 #856 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.

Claire LIU, played 9th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #26 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Alexa Butera, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked *#241 in the USA in under 12 cathegory*.

09/05/11

Deni Zmak and Slaven Ferencic are the winners of the 5th Smrikva Rekreacija 2011 Main Draws, while Car and Milan are the winners of the Consolation Draws. Patricija won the first women Rekreacija Main Draw, while Natasa won the Consolation Draw

In 2009 we established the Spring and Autumn Smrikve Tennis Club Tournament for the recreational players and this weekend the Spring edition – 5th Smrikva Rekreacija 2011 was played.

It was the first time that we organized also a draw for women thus six girls and Leon Jukic, the youngest participant of the tournament, had the possibility to compete in the 1st Smrikva Rekreativke 2011.

We had 36 Smrikve Tennis Club Members split in three draws:
1. Strong recreational players and competitors: Ari, Max, Silvia
2. Recreational players
3. Women group where also Leon – the youngest Smrikve Tennis Club competitor competed

Over two days, starting Saturday morning, there were many nice and competitive matches in a lovely club atmosphere.

Igor Dobranovic and Massimo Stupar – Max openned the tournament on the first court for our strong players group.

Although Max tried to serve his best, Igor’s experience and physical preparation did not allow Max to progress in the semifinals thus he played in the Consolation Draw against Car, another excellent player… for Max this was a great learning opportunity…

Deni Zmak and Ariana Rabac played another great match… Ari played very well but Deni is Deni :)... He was the European under 16 Champion, twice Smrikva Bowl runner up in 1998 and 1999… and around 900 ATP ranked player when he had to leave tennis and start to play with his non dominant hand…

He is a school example for each game element and for Ari and Silvia that had the opportunity to play with him this time was an honour and learing experience...

He said in end that both girls are strong and that he needs for the Autumn tournament to re-start learing again his serve :)...

Sole was another surprise of the tournament… he decided to join the Competitors group and found Silvia in his first round…

Silvia is very talented girl and one of the best girls in her age group in Croatia… strong player and strong personality… and Sole who is another strong personality enjoyed the way Silvia fight on the court :)...

The first day ended very late around 11:30 PM and after the morning semifinals the first final was between Patricija Orlic and Leon in the Main Draw for women.

Leon was honorary player of the group and was fighting like a Lion… Although Patricija reached the finals in her Draw without loosing a game against Leon she fiered for a moment that she might loose and in a very tight and nice match Patricija won in end 6:4, 6:4.

Congratulations to both of them and especially to Leon that surprised Patricija…

after the match she several times congratulated his game.

In the second Consolation final of the strong group Car defeated Ariana 9:4 that played great last three games.

The third match was the Consolation final of the recreational group where Milan Granda defeated Paskvalin 9:2.

The fourth match was the Consolation final of the girls draw between Natasa Horvat and Aleksandra Brecevic... Natasa Horvat won the match 9:4 and the medal for her daughter :)

For Ale this was her first tournament the same as for Natasa, Dea and Leon and in addition Ale is training tennis for less than a month. Congratulations to both girls :)

The fifth final of our Sunday was the match between Slaven Ferencic and Edi Brecevic. For more than two years every week they play together and yesterday they met in the finals that was played in really extreme conditions.

... it was wind and rain… they are both physically prepared but it was the hardest condition they ever had to play…

They are both fighter but Slaven usually win over Edi very tight alsmost every time and before the match Slaven said if today he win all of my victories over the years are worth nothing…

and in end Slaven won but it was really hard for him… 7:5, 3:6, 10:8

The last final in the Main Draw of the strong group was between Deni and Igor.

Deni Zmak was the 3rd Smrikva Bowl 1998 and 4th Smrikva Bowl 1999 runner up, former #1 in Europe in under 16 age group category… and a motorbike interupted his career just when he started to enter the professional word…

Deni in end defeated in the finals Igor Dobranovic 6:7, 6:1, 6:0. Igor is our Club strongest recreational player and he did in extreeme conditions a great first set… later on he did not have power to continue with concentration he had during the first set and Deni played really nice… he made a Federer like point that Igor enjoyed too…

In end it was again around 11:00 PM when the long weekend ended in our Konoba :)...

Thanks to each member who played over the weekend for the nice tournament and congratulations to the winners and finalist of this Spring edition!