News

03/07/09

List of the books that form part of the Smrikva Bowl Library is now on line

In the new section named Smrikva Bowl Library under Smrikva Bowl Tournament section you can find all the books that have been donated by this year Smrikva Bowl players to Smrikve.

Donation of the books is part of the project that aims to create the Smrikva Bowl Library .

Culture and books are important for both children and adults thus Smrikva Bowl players, representing many different cultures, bring and sign a book that will remember their stay in Smrikve and their Smrikva Bowl.

Many lovely books have been donated.

Thank you all!

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.

01/07/09

Silvia Njiric and Dino Marcan - both Smrikva Bowl runner ups - reached the quarterfinals of the Junior Wimbledon

Dino Marcan – 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up – from Croatia and Silvia Njiric – 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up – also from Croatia reached the quarterfinals of the prestigous Junior Grand Slam Tournament – Wimbledon.

Silvia Njiric is currently ranked #12 on ITF ranking list and # 811 on WTA list while Dino Marcan is ranked #32 on ITF ranking list and #1759 on ATP ranking list.

Silvia Njiric road towards the quarterfinals of Junior Wimbledon was the following:
1st round: Silvia Njiric – Nicole Gibbs (USA) 6:2, 3:6, 6:4
2nd round: Silvia Njiric – Stephanie Cornish (GBR) 6:2, 6:4
3rd round: Silvia Njiric – Ksenia Kirillova (RUS) 6:2, 2:6, 6:2
Quarterfinals: S. Njiric – Noppawan Lertcheewakarn (THA) 4:6, 4:6

In doubles Silvia Njiric and Kristina Mladenovic reached the finals of this year Junior Wimbledon.

Dino Marcan road towards the quarterfinals of Junior Wimbledon was the following:
1st round: Dino Marcan – Facundo Arguello (ARG) 3:6, 6:1, 6:3
2nd round: D. Marcan – Stanislav Poplavskyy (UKR) 2:6, 6:3, 7:5
3rd round: Dino Marcan – Harry Fowler (USA) 6:0, 6:4
Quarterfinals: Dino Marcan – Andrey Kuznetsov (RUS) 4:6, 3:6

Congratulations Silvia and Dino!

01/07/09

This year Smrikva Bowl Ambassadors already started to spread the Smrikva word. Thank you all!

I am pleased to share with Smrikva Bowl comunity few articles that have been published on the web after the conclusion of the 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 edition…

From UK (www.lta.org.uk)

Katie Swan wins prestigous International Tennis Competition

Bristol based Katie Swan, aged 10, has won The Smrikva Bowl tournament in Pula, Croatia, which is considered to be the most important international tennis tournament for children aged 10 and under.

Over 100 boys and girls from over 24 countries and 5 continents competed. The Smrikva Bowl is considered to be one of the most important 10 and under tennis tournaments in the world. Top players from various countries competed. In the final Katie played Jovana Vukovic, the No. 1 from Serbia, beating her 6-4, 6-2.

On the Sunday after finals day on Saturday, the boys and girls finalists represented Europe against the top players from the United States. Europe beat the US 7-1 and Katie won both her singles matches. Katie’s prizes included a week at the Mouratoglou Academy in Paris, a sports contract with Wilson, a mountain bike and an Adidas tennis shirt signed by Anna Ivanovic.

Katie trains at David Lloyd, Bristol with Rob Hawkins, Head of Tennis, and regularly attends National training camps at Roehampton where she has been coached by Judy Murray. In May she won the National Clay Court Invitational Tournament at Queenswood, Hertsfordshire. Katie attends The Downs School, Wraxall, North Somerset.

(www.thisissuttoncoldfield.co.uk)

Tennis aces impress on a successful trip to Croatia

YOUNGSTERS Max Stewart and Elle Griffiths, both of Sutton Coldfield Tennis Club, reached the last 16 of the Smrikva Bowl event in Croatia last week.

Stewart went straight through the first round of the under-10s competition due to being seeded five because of his national ranking.

In the second round he faced Hungarian number one, Mark Keki, and defeated him 9-3 before going down 9-1 to eventual champion Alavaro Ragalado Pedrol from Spain in the last 16.

In her first rounds, Griffiths triumphed 9-4 over Serbian Kristina Micetic and won 9-6 against Gerda Zykute of Lithuania.

In the round of 16, Griffiths faced Turkish player Inci Ogut, losing to the eventual semi-finalist after a good match.

Head coach Chris Johnson said: “I felt that the trip was a huge success. Our players were able to gauge themselves against good players from other countries.

“Both Max and Elle have made new friends from different countries who I’m sure they will meet again in the near future.”

Now tournament ambassadors, Stewart and Griffiths have the chance to recommend other Sutton Coldfield players in next year’s event.

Back at home, meanwhile, Sutton’s under-nines AEGON National Club league team beat Edgbaston Priory to make the final against Rugby this weekend.

This represented continued success for the under-nines after winning the Warwickshire Inter Satellite Club Challenge at the AEGON Classic last month.

The team consists of two boys and two girls, Luke Williams, Angus Osborne, Jasmine Skip and Sofiya Khalyaeva, and their success highlights the growing strength of the club’s mini tennis programme.

From Croatia (www.og-list.hr)

MARTINA BOKULIĆ ODLIČNA U ŠTINJANU

U Štinjanu pored Pule održan je prošli tjedan 14. Smrikva Bowl teniski turnir na kojem je nastupilo oko stotinju desetgodišnjaka i desetgodišnjakinja iz 26 zemalja i sa 6 kontinenata, a među 8 djevojčica iz Hrvatske bila je i članica teniskog kluba Ogulin Martina Bokulić.

Martina je u 1.kolu bila slobodna, a u 2.kolu izgubila je od Arianne Capogrosso iz Italije sa 9:1, te je turnir nastavila na utješnom turniru. Nakon što je u 1.kolu bila slobodna, u drugom je pobijedila Loru Apostolovu iz Bugarske sa 6:5, a u četvrtfinalu i Aminu Bajramović iz BiH sa 6:4. U polufinalu je izgubila od Harune Arakawe iz Japana sa 6:2, te na kraju osvojila treće mjesto na utješnom turniru, a u ukupnom poretku osvojila je 7.mjesto ovog velikog međunarodnog turnira.

Na kraju turnira Martina je dobila priznanje ambasadora koje joj omogućava da iduće godine može dati preporuku drugih desetgodišnjakinja da sudjeluju na ovom turniru.

Istrian Tennis Association (www.teniski-savez-istre.hr)

14. Smrikva Bowl

Završen je 14. po redu SMRIKVA BOWL turnir do 10 godina svjetskog ugleda. Detalje pogledajte na www.smrikve.com.

Sve čestitke organizatorima.

From Spain (http://pasquicarrillo.blogspot.com/)

Hoy ha terminado el torneo y no ha podido ir mejor con victoria de alvaro regalado, jugando increible y mostrando una calidad de juego de un chico mucho más mayor.

Se ha proclamado campeón del torneo internacional mas prestigioso sub10.

Los finalistas (tanto chicas como chicos) jugarán mañana contra los campeones de la liga este y oeste de estados unidos, que llevan aqui en croacia entrenando desde hace unos dias.

Es una competición tipo copa davis entre estados unidos y europa.
Entre los premios que ha ganado Alvaro ha sido una semana en una prestigiosa academia de tenis en paris.

Mañana colgaremos más fotos de la entrega de premios.
Álvaro engrosa la lista de jovenes ganadores de este torneo igual que hizo Andy Rodick y otros jugadores que ahora son profesionales.

Para seguir e informaros del torneo cuelgo el link.http://www.smrikve.com/smrikva-bowl/

(www.ftcv.es)

SMRIKVA BOWL EN CROACIA

El jugador alicantino del Club Atletico Montemar, ha quedado campeon individual de la SMRIKVA Bowl en Croacia, torneo que está catalogado a nivel internacional como el Cto. del Mundo (oficioso) sub-10.

En la prueba de por equipos que enfrentaba a Europa-Estados Unidos, el jugador alicantino iba de número 1 al quedar campeón, siendo el resultado a favor del equipo europeo por 7 a 1.

From Slovenia (http://www.teniska-zveza.si/)

Smrikva Bowl 2009 – lep uspeh Kristine in Tine

Ljubljana, 30.06.2009

Kristina Novak, članica kluba TK Triglav Kranj, in Tina Cvetkovič, članica TK Radovljica, sta se udeležili tradicionalnega turnirja do 10 let Smrikva Bowl v Puli. Turnirja se je udeležilo 100 tenisačev in tenisačic iz 27 držav, na turnirju so nastopili tudi Japonci in Avstralci. Kristina in Tina sta se uvrstili med 16 najboljših, kar je zelo lep uspeh, glede na to, da sta leto mlajši od svojih nasprotnic. Preberi več TUKAJ.

From Switzerland (http://www.zsl-tennis.ch)

Alessia Aline Welti an der Weltmeisterschaft

Alessia Welti, R4, vom TC Ried Wollerau spielte vor einer Woche an der Weltmeisterschaft der U10 in Pula (Kroatien) ein tolles Turnier. Als Nummer neun gesetzt, schlug sie nach einem Bye in der ersten Runde die Rumänin Maria Romaniuc mit 9:1. In der zweiten Runde gewann sie gegen die Engländerin Giorgina Walker mit 9:4 ehe sie im Viertelfinal gegen die Türkin Inci Ogut mit 3:9 verlor.

Für Alessia war es ein Super-Erlebnis und eine gute Erfahrung. Das Turnier war mit Spielerinnen und Spielern aus allen fünf Kontinenten sehr gut besetzt Noch nie hat ein Girl aus der Schweiz an diesen WM die Viertelfinals erreicht. Alessia klassierte sich schlussendlich auf dem 5. Platz.

Auf Grund ihrer guten Leistungen in Pula bekam die junge Wollerauerin eine Einladung zum „Little Mo“, einem internationalen U10 Turnier das in Tampa (Florida) gespielt wird. Sie wird im Dezember mit ihren Eltern nach Florida reisen und dort weitere internationale Erfahrungen sammeln.

Wir möchten gerne helfen!

Es ist immer schwierig wenn ein Kind erstmals im Ausland ein internationales Turnier spielt. Es gibt so viel Dinge, die zu beachten sind. Deshalb würden die Eltern von Alessia gerne mit ihrer Erfahrung behilflich sein, falls Kinder aus dem Regionalverband Zürichsee/Linth interessiert an einernächstjährigen Turnierteilnahme in Pula sind..

Die Turnier Webseite ist wiefolgt:

http://www.smrikve.com/smrikva-bowl/

From Turkey (www.tenisdunyasi.net)

Miniklerde iş var

Hırvatistan’da düzenlenen 14’üncü Smrikva Bowl 10 Yaş Tenis Şampiyonası’nda Berfu Cengiz ve İnci Öğüt, son sekiz raket arasına kalma başarısı gösterdi.

Altyapı tenisinde dünyanın en önemli tenis organizasyonu olarak değerlendirilen Smrikva Bowl Tenis Turnuvası’nda çeyrek finalistler arasına iki Türk kızı girdi. Hırvatistan’ın Pula kentindeki 85 yıllık Smrikva Tenis Kulübü’nde düzenlenen turnuvada yer alan Berfu Cengiz ve İnci Öğüt, rakiplerini yenerek son sekize kaldı.

9 oyunluk tek set üzerinden oynanan turnuvanın 2. turunda İncü Öğüt, Britanya’dan Elle Rose Griffiths’i, Berfu Cengiz de Slovenya’dan Tina Cvetkovic’i aynı sonuçla 9-3 yendi.

Turnuvanın çeyrek finalinde Türkiye iki minik yıldız adayıyla yer alırken, İspanya, Sırbistan, İtalya, Romanya, Britanya ve İsviçre’nin ise bir tenisçisi bulunuyor. Çeyrek finalde Berfu Cengiz, İtalyan Ariana Capogrosso ile, İnci Öğüt ise İsviçre’den Alessia Welti ile oynayacak.

Öte yandan, Smrikva Bowl’a erkeklerde katılan Atakan Gezer ve Berkay Sucugil ise rakiplerine yenilerek elendi.

30/06/09

14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 photos are on line in the Smrikva Bowl Photo Gallery

In the new photo gallery under Smrikva Bowl section you can find some photos of the 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 edition.

There are photos of several players such as: Alvaro Regalado Pedrol, Samuele Ramazzotti, Alejandro Davidovich, Karlo Suevich, Katie Swan, Jovana Vuković, Inci Ogut, Arianna Capogrosso, Noah Schachter, Alex Gee, Michaela Gordon, Ashley Lahey and many others.

28/06/09

14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 Press Release

PULA, CROATIA 24th of JUNE – 28th of JUNE 2009

14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 – tennis tournament for boys and girls under 10 – gathered around 100 boys and girls from 24 countries and 5 continents. It was another successful annual and Smrikva Bowl from this years counts its Ambassadors in 40 countries and 6 continents.

The proof of the Smrikva Bowl importance is given by the names of the winners:
• Vilim Visak (Cro) -Natali Zuliani (Cro) 1996
• Željko Perić (Cro) -Ivana Lisjak (Cro) 1997
• Filip Kovačić (Cro) -Mateja Horvat (Cro) 1998
• B. Mudronja (Cro) – Astrid Besser (I) 1999
• Adelchi Virgili (I) – Tereza Mrdeža (Cro) 2000
• M. Draganja (Cro) – Petra Martić (Cro) 2001
• Javier Marti (Esp) – Martina Caregaro (I) 2002
• Dominic Thiem (Aut) – Jennifer Ren (UK) 2003
• Ivan Levar (Cro) – S. Gavrilovska (Srb)2004
• Matteo Donati (I) – S. Gavrilovska (Srb)2005
• Gianluigi Quinzi (I) – Eleonor Dean (Uk)2006
• Sacha Merzetti (I) -Virgina Pena (Esp)2007
• Luka Panic (Sui) – Katarina Jokic (BiH)2008
• Alvaro Regalado (Esp) – Katie Swan (Uk)2009

Alvaro Regalado Pedrol from Spain won the boys finals, while Katie Swan from Great Britain won the girls finals.

The winners won mountain bikes – the traditional Smrikva Bowl prize, 7 week stage at Patrick Mouratoglou Academy in Paris, sportswear from Sergio Tacchini and Wilson’s rackets.

On 28th of June 2008, the selected Smrikva Bowl players: Alvaro Regalado Pedrol (ESP), Samuele Ramazzotti (ITA), Katie Swan (UK), Jovana Vukovic (SRB) played the 8th «Little Mo» / Smrikva Bowl in Smrikve Tennis Club in Pula, Croatia. Noah Schachter, Alex Gee, Michaela Gordon and Ashley Laney have been selected by MCB foundation to represent the “Little Mo” in this unique event. Smrikva Bowl team won the competition with the result of 7 to 1.

The Smrikve Tennis Club and the Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation have created «Little Mo» / Smrikva Bowl in 2002, the first-ever international competition between the United States and Europe for boys and girls 10 & under. Since then, Smrikva Bowl has grown in a global tournament and gathers top players from all around the World.

14th SMRIKVA BOWL 2009 RESULTS

Boys:
FINALS:
Alvaro Regalado (ESP) – Samuele Ramazzotti (ITA) (6:1 6:0);

SEMIFINALS:
Alvaro Regalado (ESP) – Karlo Suevich (CRO) (9:5);
Samuele Ramazzotti (ITA) – Alejandro Davidovich (ESP) (9:8);

QUARTERFINALS:
Alvaro Regalado (ESP) – Gabi Adrian Boitan (ROM) (9:1);
Karlo Suevich (CRO) – Patrik Rikl (CZE) (9:7);
Samuele Ramazzotti (ITA) – Miomir Kecmanovic (SRB) (9:1);
Alejandro Davidovich (ESP) – Alex Deminaur (ROM) (9:8).

Girls:
FINALS:
Katie Swan (UK) – Jovana Vukovic (SRB) (6:4, 6:2);

SEMIFINALS:
Katie Swan (UK) – Arianna Capogrosso (ITA) (9:5);
Jovana Vukovic (SRB) – Inci Ogut (TUR) (9:5);

QUARTERFINALS:
Katie Swan (UK) – Andrea Simeunovic (SRB) (9:4);
Jovana Vukovic (SRB) – Andrea Amalia Rosca (ROM) (9:8);
Inci Ogut (TUR) – Alessia Welti (SUI) (9:3);
Arianna Capogrosso (ITA) – Berfu Cengiz (TUR) (9:4).

8th “Little Mo”/SMRIKVA BOWL 2009 RESULTS

«Little Mo»SMRIKVA BOWL

Michaela Gordon (USA) – Katie Swan (UK) (6:7 1:6)
Ashley Lahey (USA) – Jovana Vukovic (SRB) (3:6 3:6)

Noah Schachter (USA) – Alvaro Regalado Pedrol (ESP) (6:1 6:2)
Alex Gee (USA) – Samuele Ramazzotti (ITA) (0:6 1:6)

Michaela Gordon (USA) – Jovana Vukovic (SRB) (4:6 5:7 6:10)
Ashley Lahey (USA) – Katie Swan (UK) (1:62:6)

Noah Schachter (USA) – Samuele Ramazzotti (ITA) (3:6 5:7)
Alex Gee (USA) – Alvaro Regalado Pedrol (ESP) (0:6 1:6)

FINAL RESULT 1 – 7

Thanks to all Smrikva Bowl supporters and especially to the:
Smrikva Bowl Staff
Smrikva Bowl Sponsors
Golden Honorary Smrikva Bowl Members
Honorary Smrikva Bowl Members

27/06/09

14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 winners are Alvaro Regalado Pedrol from Spain and Katie Swan from Great Britain

14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 winners are Alvaro Regalado Pedrol from Spain and Katie Swan from Great Britain.

Tomorrow morning starting at 9:00 AM the Smrikva Bowl team will play the 8th annual with “Little Mo” team, 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl.

The press release and the draws will be available on line at the beginning of the next week.

It was another great Smrikva Bowl year, full of talents and some top players will hopefully return next year. Few days was written that you never know till you do not taste the wine how it is but it can be said that all the players and especially those that reached the end of the tournament are great players.

There were many nice matches and I would like to recall at least the players that reached the semifinals such as:

Girls
Katie Swan (GBR)
Jovana Vuković (SRB)
Inci Ogut (TUR)
Arianna Capogrosso (ITA)

Boys
Alvaro Regalado Pedrol (ESP)
Samuele Ramazzotti (ITA)
Alejandro Davidovich (ESP)
Karlo Suevich (CRO)

For sure every Smrikva Bowl player has shown the ability of playing tennis and probably several of them will remain in tennis in future.

Congratulations to all 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 players and thanks to the parents for brining their kids to Pula, Croatia.

26/06/09

14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 Main Draw Boys Finalists

14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 boys finalists for tomorrow are already known and they are:

Alvaro Regalado Pedrol (ESP)
Samuele Ramazzotti (ITA)

The finals will be played tomorrow starting at 9:00 AM.

At 6:00 PM Smrikva Bowl team and the “Little Mo” team were presented.

26/06/09

14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 Main Draw Girls Finalists

14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 girls finalists for tomorrow are already known and they are:

Jovana Vuković (SRB)
Katie Swan (GBR)

The finals will be played tomorrow starting at 9:00 AM.

Right now are on the courts the boys semifinals are played and soon we will know the boys finalists, thus we will know this year Smrikva Bowl team that will play on Sunday the 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl.

At 6:00 PM Smrikva Bowl team and the “Little Mo” team will be presented.

26/06/09

14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 Main Draw Boys Semifinalists

The boys that qualified for the 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 semifinals are:

Karlo Suevich (CRO)
Alvaro Regalado Pedrol (ESP)

Alejandro Davidovich (ESP)
Samuele Ramazzotti (ITA)

At 3:30 PM the Girls semifinals will be played and will be followed by the boys semifinals.

At 6:00 PM Smrikva Bowl team and the “Little Mo” team will be presented.

26/06/09

14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 Main Draw Girls Semifinalists

14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 continues today with beautiful matches and the girls semifinalists are already known.

Inci Ogut (TUR)
Jovana Vuković (SRB)

Katie Swan (GBR)
Arianna Capogrosso (ITA)

The semifinals will be played this afternoon.

Right now are on the courts the boys and soon we will know the boys semifinalists.

This evening we will also have the finalists and this year Smrikva Bowl team that will play on Sunday the 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl.

At 6:00 PM Smrikva Bowl team and the “Little Mo” team will be presented.

25/06/09

14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 Main Draw Boys Quarterfinalists

14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 continues with beautiful matches and the boys quarterfinalists are already known.

Before the tournament started it was known that the quality was expected to be good in the boys section but you can not understand the level till you do not see the players. Uptoday the shown level is of outstanding quality and very strong matches are expected tomorrow.

The boys that qulified to play in the 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 quarterfinals are:

Karlo Suevich (CRO)
Patrik Rikl (CZE)

Alvaro Regalado Pedrol (ESP)
Gabi Adrian Boitan (ROM)

Alex De Minaur Roman (ESP)
Alejandro Davidovich (ESP)

Miomir Kecmanović (SRB)
Samuele Ramazzotti (ITA)

At 6:00 PM the 14th Smrikva Bowl players will be nominated the Smrikva Bowl Ambassadors and the centuries old Olive Tree will be planted.

Tomorrow the quarterfinals and semifinals of the Main Draw are on the schedule and we expect several beautiful matches.

25/06/09

14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 Main Draw Girls Quarterfinalists

14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 continues today with beautiful matches and the girls quarterfinalists are already known.

Before the tournament started it was known that the quality was expected to be good according to the information received from the players but you can not understand the level till you do not see them playing.

It is like good wine. Until you do not taste it you do not know the wine you have made. Every year we have a similar story with the Smrikva Bowl players. You expect new talents and every year you really discover new talents with their different caracters, different styles. Also this year Smrikva Bowl is showing outstanding quality of the players.

The girls that will play tomorrow the quarterfinals are:

Inci Ogut (TUR)
Alessia Aline Welti (SUI)

Jovana Vuković (SRB)
Andrea Amalia Rosca (ROM)

Katie Swan (GBR)
Angela Fita Boluda (ESP)

Berfu Cengiz (TUR)
Arianna Capogrosso (ITA)

This afternoon we will have the Boys Main Draw Quarterfinalists and at 6PM all the Smrikva Bowl players will be nominated the Ambassadors and the centuries old Olive Tree will be planted.

24/06/09

14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 has started today at 8:30 AM

14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 started today at 8:30 AM with a lovelly openning cerimony.

The balet dancers from the group “Rondo”, the World Champions, danced for the Smrikva Bowl players.

We are also very pleased that Laura Bilman and Maureen from Mouratoglou Academy are visiting as this year. Patrik Mouratoglou Academy sponsors the winners of the Smrikva Bowl with one week training in this prestigous Academy and is a real pleasure to have Laura and Maureen in Smrikve.

It is the second time that Smrikva Bowl gathered players from 5 continents and it is the second time that Australian players compete in the Smrikva Bowl. Players from Australia traveled over 16000 kilometres to reach Smrikve and Croatia.

There are six new countries represented this year: Japan, Norway, Brazil, Mauritius, Latvia and Bulgary. With this new countries Smrikva Bowl has reached 40 countries represented over the years and has also reached the sixth continent.

The level of the players is expected to be very high. There are many talented players among the around 100 participants.

The creation of the Smrikva Bowl library started this year and the Smrikva Bowl players brought very beautiful books representing the culture of the places that they are coming from. Thank you all!

I am pleased to announce this year names of the players that honoured us with their arrival:

Girls
Ana Biskic (CRO)
Inci Ogut (TUR)
Kristina Miletić (SRB)
Elle Rose Griffiths (GBR)
Gerda Zykute (LTU)
Seone Mendez (AUS)
Georgina Walker (GBR)
Dea Lako (CRO)
Marina Romaniuc (ROM)
Emilija Cvetanović (SRB)
Alessia Aline Welti (SUI)
Jovana Vuković (SRB)
Lucie Kankova (CZE)
Petra Pupić (CRO)
Jeanna Zuger (SUI)
Wicka Kulik (POL)
Radina Rakić (AUT)
Camilla Ceppellini (ITA)
Izabela Gabriela Novac (ROM)
Lana Lipovčević (CRO)
Andrea Amalia Rosca (ROM)
Katie Swan (GBR)
Giulia Turconi (ITA)
Andrea Simeunović (SRB)
Haruna Arakawa (JPN)
Lea Bošković (CRO)
Kristina Novak (SLO)
Sina Zuger (SUI)
Dragana Radišić (BIH)
Lauren King-Sparke (GBR)
Neli Šunjić (CRO)
Angela Fita Boluda (ESP)
Berfu Cengiz (TUR)
Bozkidarya Encheva (BUL)
Martina Pavoković (CRO)
Tzarina Tuen-Matthews (GBR)
Tina Cvetković (SLO)
Amina Bajramović (BIH)
Lora Apostolova (BUL)
Milica Panić (SRB)
Georgina Axon (GBR)
Martina Bokulić (CRO)
Arianna Capogrosso (ITA)

Boys
Karlo Suevich (CRO)
Yannick Skinneger (SUI)
Vinicius Nogueira (BRA)
Karlo Kranić (CRO)
Kiro Paul Barra (GER)
Renzo Paro (CRO)
Rimpei Kawakami (JPN)
Nicolas Merzetti (ITA)
Nemanja Popović (SRB)
Tommaso Vottero (ITA)
Simone Nascardi (ITA)
Borna Šeatović (CRO)
Patrik Rikl (CZE)
Max Stewart (GBR)
Mark Keki (HUN)
Nicolas Kupfer (SUI)
Alvaro Regalado Pedrol (ESP)
Vito Tonejc (CRO)
Alexei Popyrin (AUS)
Roko Savin (CRO)
Samuel Sinott (GBR)
Alexandre James Zavodov (GBR)
Andrej Omeragić (CRO)
Gabi Adrian Boitan (ROM)
Tin Lučin (CRO)
Andrei Caia (ROM)
Alex De Minaur Roman (ESP)
Nicola Vidal (ITA)
Atakan Gezer (TUR)
Tomas Machac (CZE)
Marko Boltušić (CRO)
Filippo Vottero (ITA)
Michail Bradinoff (BUL)
Alejandro Davidovich (ESP)
Matija Volarević (CRO)
Thomas Smalley (GBR)
Anthony Popyrin (AUS)
Arslan Kellou (FRA)
Amaury De Beer (MUS)
Miomir Kecmanović (SRB)
Moritz Thiem (AUT)
Karlo Divković (BIH)
Jose Mathias Bulanti (ESP)
Davide Innocenti (ITA)
Andrej Jokić (BIH)
Emir Mulalić (BIH)
Andreja Petrovic (NOR)
Berkay Sucugil (TUR)
Frane Ninčević (CRO)
Ben Mortimer (GBR)
Lucas Vontobal (SUI)
Samuele Ramazzotti (ITA)

“Little Mo” team that will play in the 8th „Little Mo“/Smrikva Bowl:
Noah Schachter (USA)
Alex Gee(USA)
Michaela Gordon (USA)
Ashley Lahey (USA)

Tomorrow at 6PM 14th Smrikva Bowl players will be nominated the Smrikva Bowl Ambassadors that will be followed by the cerimony of the centuries old Olive Tree planting.

22/06/09

14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 Press Release for the Croatian Media

SVIM MEDIJIMA

Pula, 22. lipanj 2009.

Poštovani,

Ove godine je primljeno na Smrikvu više od 100 djece sa 5 kontinenta i iz 27 zemalja svijeta. Na internet stranici http://www.smrikve.com/smrikva-bowl/world-in-smrikve/ se mogu pogledati zemlje učesnice od 1996.godine.

Brojni takmičari su rangirani kao najbolji igrači u svojoj zemlji, a velika većina je rangirana među prvih pet igrača u zemlji. Igrači Smrikve dolaze iz dalekih krajeva a neki od njih putujući iz Australije naprave i više od 16.000 kilometara da bi nastupili na Smrikva Bowl-u.

Posebnost Smrikva Bowl-a čini i njegova ideja vodilja koja ga karakterizira od samoga počekta. Kozmopolitanske vrijednosti se prožimaju kroz sport i djecu, i isto tako kroz kulturu i muziku.

Godinama, igrači Smrikva Bowl-a postaju Ambasadori turnira, i kao dio te ceremonije sva djeca zajedno sade stoljetnu maslinu. Ambasadori Smrikve imaju dužnost pomoći Smrikvama u sakupljanju talenata za sljedeću godinu i zahvaljujući njihovim preporukama turnir iz godine u godinu raste po kvaliteti. Maslina je simbol mira i prijateljstva, a njene godine za sudionike Smrikva Bowl-a znače i međugeneracijske odgovornosti.

Od ove godine Ambasadori turnira počinju promicati u svojim zemljama Istru kao kulturnu turističku destinaciju. Kao dio početka te priče smo krenuli sa stvaranjem biblioteke Smrikva Bowl-a. Svako dijete pri upisu na turnir donosi kao poklon Smrikvama jednu potpisanu knjigu kulture svoje zemlje ili grada u kojem živi. Smrikve isto tako poklanjaju svakom igraču knjigu o kulturi Istre… tj. E-knjigu „Istra from Smrikve“ – virtualnu knjigu o kulturi Istri koja se nalazi na netu od kraja ožujka mjeseca 2009.godine na stranici www.smrikve.com/istria/ .

Nikada se ne zna gdje će se novi talenat roditi u svijetu, i isto tako se nikada ne zna pobjednik Smrikve. Skoro svakom irgaču Smrikve je ovo jedan od prvih velikih međunarodnih turnira gdje mogu izmjeriti svoj talenat sa ostalim talentima iz teniskog svijeta pa je tako svaka Smrikva jedno novo otkriće kako za djecu tako i za nas.

Ključni elementi ovogodišnjeg programa Smrikva Bowl-a se mogu sažeti u sljedećim točkama:

Prvi dan
24. lipanj – 8:30 Otvaranje turnira

Drugi dan
25. lipanj – 18:00 Imenovanje Ambasadora i sadnja stoljetne masline

Treci dan
26. lipanj – 18:00 Predstavljanje «Little Mo» i Smrikva Bowl tima

Četvrti dan
27. lipanj – 9:00 Finale i svečano proglašenje pobjednika oko 12:00

Peti dan
28. lipanj – 9:00 «Little Mo»/Smrikva Bowl

Više dobrih igrača iz Hrvatske su postigli visoke rezultate na Smrikva Bowl-u igrajući finale ili čak pobjedivši turnir pa tako vrijedi spomenuti: Vilima Viška (1996), Ivanu Lisjak (1997), Denija Žmaka (1999), Terezu Mrdežu (2000), Marina Draganju (2001), Dina Marcana (2001), Petru Martić (2001), Indire Akiki (2001), Ajlu Tomljanović (2002 i 2003), Silviju Njirić (2003), Ivana Levara (2004), Filipa Kraljevića (2006) i Anu Konjuh (2007).

Razvoj turnira bi bio nemoguć bez brojnih volontera, zaljubljenika Smrikve i njenih sponzora. Tako se i ovim putem zahvaljujemo svim volonterima i zaljubljenicima Smrikve koji danas čine više stotina osoba i obitelji diljem svijeta. Do danas je kroz Smrikvu prošlo više od 4500 ljudi.

Zahvaljujemo se i ovogodišnjim sponzorima koji omogućavaju rast i posebnost Smrikve: igračima i rekreativcima Tenis kluba Smrikve, Ronzio Oleodinamici iz Milana, tvrtci Mercator, tvrtci sportske opreme Sergio Tacchini, tvrtci teniske opreme Wilson, Teniskoj Akademiji Mouratoglou iz Pariza, MV Fotolito iz Milana, tvrtci Shake iz Pule, Duravitu, IZO iz Balići, Agrofarmaciji, Svijetu biljaka iz Vodnjana, Royal Boats-u, Ani Ivanović, baletnom studio Rondo, Ledu, Product Impexu iz Pule, Histrici iz Pule, Restoranu Oaza s Velog Vrha, Komot iz Zagreba, Balunu Vodnjan, Turističkoj Zajednici Grada Pule, Istarskoj Županiji, Puljanci iz Pule, plesnoj grupi Pirueta i brojnim pojedincima….

TENIS KLUB SMRIKVE

Kontakt osoba: Rossana Matejčić – Miljević

22/06/09

A nice article about Alex Gee that will play in the US team at the 8th"Little Mo"/Smrikva Bowl edition

Alex Gee is the US player that will be part of the “Little Mo” team that will play against the Smrikva Bowl finalist on Sunday, 28th of June. Larry Young wrote a nice article for Huston Chronicle that I am pleased to share with the Smrikva Bowl community.

Local youth to represent U.S. at tennis tournament

At only 9, Gee headed to Croatia later this month

Fifth-graders aren’t supposed to be dominant in tennis.

Alex Gee of Houston must have missed the memo.

Although he has been bouncing a ball since he could walk, Gee first picked up a racket at age 7 — and promptly won his first tournament.

Gee made another splash recently when he defeated seven other quarterfinalists to win the 32nd annual “Little Mo” Texas Sectional for 10-year-old boys.

Just 9, he is one of two players who will represent the United States against Europe in the eighth annual “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl on June 28 at Pula, Croatia.

Noah Schachter of Steilacoom, Wash., is the other representative.

“I’m very excited because I get to play for the USA, and it’s a good experience for me,” Gee said.

This year’s tournament is expected to draw more than 100 players from 27 countries. About 20 of those players are ranked No. 1 in their respective countries, and many others are ranked in the top five. Gee and Schachter will be looking to score the first U.S. win in the event’s seven-year history.

“I hope to make a difference in being part of the first winning USA team,” said Gee, whose favorite pro player is Rafael Nadal of Spain.

The Condit Elementary honor student comes by his tennis prowess naturally. His mother Sabrina played collegiately at North Texas, and the two hit balls together almost every day.

“I’m pretty hard on him,” Sabrina said. “I’m constantly on him in terms of drills and hitting. … I think mostly I try to teach him mental toughness, to hang in and not give up.”

Gee, who this week is participating in the Texas Summer Grand Slam boys 12 tourney at College Station, aims to one day be the top-ranked player in the country.

[email protected]

16/06/09

14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 Sponsors updates

The final preparations for the opening of the 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 are under completion. I am pleased to thanks all the Sponsors and supporters that are with us also this year and I am pleased to welcome new Sponsors.

There is a long list of Smrikva Bowl Sponsors, Staff and Honorary Members that over the years support Smrikva Bowl growth and I am happy when there are new people that fall in love with the tournament and the same way happy when the old friends remain on our side and support us year after year.

I am pleased to thank all of them and you can find the list of the Smrikva Bowl Staff, Honorary Members and the Golden Honorary Members in the Smrikva Bowl Staff section while in the Smrikva Bowl Sponsors section you will find the main Sponsors and if you clik on their logos you will be linked to their internet sites.

Some of the 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 Sponsors are: – Smrikve Tennis Club – Ronzio Oleodinamica from Milan – Sergio Tacchini from Italy – Mercator from Slovenia – Wilson sportswear company – Mouratoglou Tennis Academy from Paris – MV Fotolito from Milan – Komot from Zagreb – Duravit from Pula – IZO from Balici – Agrofarmacija from Pula – Svijet biljaka from Vodnjan – Royal Boats from Pula – Puljanka from Pula – “Shake” from Pula – Ana Ivanovic – Ledo from Zagreb – Radio Velenje from Velenje – Product Impex from Pula – Histrica from Pula – Restoran Oaza from Veli Vrh – Nove Istarske Knjizare from Pula – Balun Vodnjan from Vodnjan – Rondo dancing group from Pula – Pirueta dancing group from Pula – Turisticka Zajednica Grada Pule – Istarska Zupanija

Once again thank you all! and very special thanks to the Smrikva Bowl friends.

13/06/09

Top Smrikva Bowl and "Little Mo"/Smrikva Bowl players on ATP, WTA, ITF, USTA and European under 14 and 16 ranking lists (update June 2009)

IN 1996 SMRIKVA BOWL GATHERED TOP PLAYERS FROM ISTRIA AND KVARNER

1996 – 1st Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Vilim Visak, 1st Smrikva Bowl 1996 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #1077 on ATP list. Vilim’s best ranking was #612 in March 2006. Vilim Visak is currently ranked #602 on ATP Doubles Ranking. His best double ranking was #370 in February 2009.

GIRLS
Natali Zuliani, 1st Smrikva Bowl 1996 winner, from Croatia, is not ranked player.

IN 1997 SMRIKVA BOWL GATHERED TOP PLAYERS FROM CROATIA

1997 – 2nd Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Zeljko Peric, 2nd Smrikva Bowl 1997 winner, from Croatia, is not ranked player.
Filip Kricka, 2nd Smrikva Bowl 1997 runner up, from Croatia, is not ranked player.

GIRLS
Ivana Lisjak, 2nd Smrikva Bowl 1997 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #454 on WTA list. Ivana’s best ranking was #95 on WTA list in June 2006.

IN 1998 SMRIKVA BOWL STARTED TO BE INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT

1998 – 3rd Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Filip Kovacic, 3rd Smrikva Bowl 1998 winner, from Croatia, is not ranked player.

GIRLS
Mateja Horvat, 3rd Smrikva Bowl 1998 winner, from Croatia, is not ranked player. Her best ranking was around #800 on WTA list.

1999 – 4th Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Borko Mudronja, 4th Smrikva Bowl 1999 winner, from Croatia, is not ranked player.
Deni Zmak, 4th Smrikva Bowl 1999 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #1525 on ATP list.

GIRLS
Astrid Besser, 4th Smrikva Bowl 1999 winner, from Italy, is ranked #448 on WTA list.

2000 – 5th Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Adelchi Virgili, 5th Smrikva Bowl 2000 winner, from Italy. Adelchi is very talented player that continues to be injured.

GIRLS
Tereza Mrdeza, 5th Smrikva Bowl 2000 winner, from Croatia, is currently ranked #538 on WTA list.

2001 – 6th Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Marin Draganja, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #1902 on ATP ranking list.
Dino Marcan, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #1783 on ATP ranking list.

GIRLS
Petra MARTIC, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #145 on WTA list.
Indire Akiki, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #741 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 #764 on ATP list.
Giacomo Miccini, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Italy, was ranked #1710 on ATP list in May 2009.

GIRLS
Martina Caregaro, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 winner, from Italy, is ranked #756 on WTA ranking list.
Ajla TOMLJANOVIC, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #534 on WTA list.
Ema BURGIC, ranked 3rd on 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #773 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 #894 on ITF ranking list and is ranked #6 in Europe in under 16 cathegory
George MORGAN, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Great Britain, is ranked #296 on ITF ranking list.
Ciprian Porumb, ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, from Romenia, is ranked #421 on ITF ranking list.

GIRLS
Jennifer Ren, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner, from Great Britain, was ranked #987 on WTA list.
Silvia NJIRIC, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #798 on WTA list.
Ajla TOMLJANOVIC, ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, from Croatia, is ranked #534 on WTA list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Emmett Egger, played 2nd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #423 on ITF ranking list.
Robert Stineman, played 2nd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #120 in the USA in under 16 cathegory.

Karen Forman, played 2nd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #142 in the USA in under 16 cathegory.
Katie Klyczek, played 2nd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #476 in the USA in under 16 cathegory.

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

BOYS
Ivan Levar, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #188 in under 16 cathegory.
Miki JANKOVIC, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #2 in Europe in under 16 cathegory and is ranked #1044 on ITF ranking list.

GIRLS
Saska Gavrilovska, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 winner, from Serbia, is ranked #286 in Europe in under 16 cathegory and is ranked #1078 on ITF ranking list.
Ecaterina Opriou, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 runner up, from Romenia, is ranked #30 in Europe in under 16 cathegory.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Mitchel Polnet, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #193 in the USA in under 16 cathegory.

Blair SHANKLE, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #11 in the USA in under 16 cathegory and is ranked #598 on ITF ranking list.
Anna MAMALAT, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #22 in the USA in under 16 cathegory.

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 #4 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Gyore Laszlo, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #17 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Gianluigi QUINZI, ranked 3rd on 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005, from Italy, is ranked #8 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Nikola MILOJEVIC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 Consolation tournament winner, from Serbia, is ranked #1 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

GIRLS
Saska Gavrilovska, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 winner, from Serbia, is ranked #286 in Europe in under 16 cathegory and is ranked #1078 on ITF ranking list.
Olga Ianchuk, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Ukraine, is ranked #9 in Europe in under 14 cathegory and is ranked #1382 on ITF ranking list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Jeffrey Schorsch, played 4th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #308 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Jose Gracia, played 4th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #115 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Yale GOLDBERG, played 4th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #25 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.

Dorothy Tang, played 4th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #75 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.

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

BOYS
Gianluigi QUINZI, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner, from Italy, is ranked #8 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Filip Kraljevic, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #674 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

GIRLS
Eleanor DEAN, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner, from Great Britain, is ranked #43 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Dina PAOCIC, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 runner up, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #130 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Daniel Maese, played 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #1352 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Aries Wong, played 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #314 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.

Christina MAKAROVA, played 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #70 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Gabriella Umoquit, played 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #784 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.

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

BOYS
Sacha Merzetti, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 winner, from Italy, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Bogdan BORZA, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up, from Romania, is ranked #308 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Gonzalo Morell, ranked 3rd on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Spain, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Sergiu Bucur, ranked 4th on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Romania, is too young for under 14 european ranking.

GIRLS
Virginia PENA, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 winner, from Spain, is ranked #397 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Ana KONJUH, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #327 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Nina POTOCNIK, ranked 3rd on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Slovenia, is ranked #347 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Katie Dayson, ranked 4th on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from UK, is too young for under 14 european ranking.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Eduardo NAVA, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #32 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Tommy PAUL, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #5 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.

Ndindi NDUNDA, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #13 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Domonique Garley, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #66 in the USA in under 12 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 too young for under 14 european ranking.
Mihnea Turcu, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 runner up, from Romania, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Grega Kokalj, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Slovenia, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Andrea Guerrieri, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Italy, is too young for under 14 european ranking.

GIRLS
Katarina Jokic, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 winner, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Maia Lumsden, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 runner up, from Scotland, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Viktoria Kuzmova, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Slovakia, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Estela Perez Somarriba, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Spain, is too young for under 14 european ranking.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Justin LEE, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #88 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
William Blumberg, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #379 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.

Ingrid NEEL, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #26 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Paulina Ferrari, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #301 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.

10/06/09

8th "Little Mo"/Smrikva Bowl 2009 - United States Team Announcement - Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate release
June 9,2009
[email protected]
www.mcbtennis.org
(214) 352-7978

8th “Little Mo”/ Smrikva Bowl
June 28, 2009 * Pula, Croatia

United States Team Announced
(U.S. vs. Europe)
For Boys & Girls 10 & under

Dallas...The Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation and Tennis Club Smrikve are proud to present the 8th annual international team competition between the United States and Europe for young players on Sunday, June 28, 2009. This is the only international team competition which features the top boys and girls from the United States and the rest of the world who are 10 & under.

The “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl is named after two prestigious tournaments: the “Little Mo” Nationals which features the best young players in the United States from 7-11 years of age and the Smrikva Bowl which is one of the top European tournaments for boys and girls having gathered players from 40 countries and six continents over the fourteen year history.

The 14th annual Smrikva Bowl will be held the week of June 22nd at the Tennis Club Smrikve in Pula, Croatia.

The Smrikva Bowl is expected to have over 100 top players from 27 countries and 5 continents competing in this prestigious European tournament—over 20 players are ranked #1 in their country and many others are ranked in the top 5 in their country.

The “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl is probably the highest level competition for boys and girls who are 10 & under in the world.
The “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl will feature the top two boys and top two girls in the United States and the rest of the world playing a total of eight matches. The competition was held the first two years in Austin, Texas at the Austin Tennis Academy and the past five years at the Tennis Club Smrikve in Pula, Croatia. Smrikva Bowl has won the competition each year .

The players representing the United States are:

Boys:

#1: Noah Schachter – Steilacoom, Washington

#2: Alex Gee – Bellaire, Texas

Girls:

#1: Michaela Gordon – Los Altos Hills, California

#2: Ashley Lahey – Boulder, Colorado

The U.S. players were selected due to their outstanding results in “Little Mo” competition at the Sectional, Regional, National and International level.

The “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl is one of the many events the Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation organizes to promote junior tennis development. The foundation was co-founded by Maureen Connolly Brinker and her dear friend, Mrs. Frank A. Jeffett, in 1968. Mrs. Jeffett has led the foundation for forty years and continues to serve as chairman emeritus together with Cindy Brinker Simmons, president, Brenda Brinker Bottum, vice-president, Elizabeth Jeffett, vice-president, Carol Weyman, executive vice-president, and a capable advisory board.

“Little Mo” was the top ranked woman’s player in the world in the early 1950s, winning Wimbledon in 1952, 1953 and 1954. In 1953, she became the first woman (at age 18) to win the Grand Slam. She remains the youngest player and the only American woman to ever win the Grand Slam. Only five players in the history of tennis have achieved this significant tennis milestone. She won nine successive majors from 1951-1954. “Little Mo” died of cancer in 1969 at the age of 34 in Dallas.

For more information, visit www.mcbtennis.org and www.smrikve.com/smrikva-bowl.

07/06/09

Ivana Lisjak - 2nd Smrikva Bowl 1997 winner and former #95 ranked player on WTA list - won USD 25000 Tournament in Sarajevo

Ivana Lisjak – 2nd Smrikva Bowl 1997 winner and former #95 ranked player on WTA list – won USD 25000 Tournament that was played this week in Sarajevo.

Ivana Lisjak’s road towards the victory of the Sarajevo tournament was the following:

1st round: Ivana Lisjak – Indire Akiki (CRO) 6:1, 6:3
2nd round: Ivana Lisjak – Alexandra Panova (RUS) 6:3, 6:4
Quarterfinals: Ivana Lisjak – Diana Nakic (SLO) 6:2, 6:1
Semifinals: Ivana Lisjak – Karolina Kosinska (POL) 6:2, 6:2
Finals: Ivana Lisjak – Ana Jovanovic (SRB) 6:0, 7:6

Ivana Lisjak is currently ranked #456 on WTA list and the defeated players are ranked as follows:

Indire Akiki (CRO) – 6th Smrikva Bowl runner up – #702 WTA
Alexandra Panova (RUS) – #224 WTA
Diana Nakic (SLO) – #836 WTA
Karolina Kosinska (POL) – #399 WTA
Ana Jovanovic (SRB) – #238

Congratulations Ivana!

07/06/09

Marin Draganja and Dino Marcan - 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner and runner up - won the Junior Roland Garros doubles Championship 2009

Marin Draganja and Dino Marcan – 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner and runner up – were not so successful in the single performacne of this year Junior Roland Garros but they obtained the victory of the Junior Roland Garros doubles Championship 2009.

Their road towards the victory for Marin and Dino was the following:

1st round: Draganja – Marcan defeated Tennys Sandgren and Julen Uriguen 5:7, 6:4, 1:0

2nd round: Draganja – Marcan defeated Filip Horansky and
Jozef Kovalik 4;6, 6:0, 1:0

Quarterfinals: Draganja – Marcan defeated Evan King and Denis Kudla 6:0, 7:6

Semifinals: Draganja – Marcan defeated Dominik Schulz and David Souto 6:4, 6:2

Finals: Draganja – Marcan defeated Guilherme Clezar and Liang-Chi Huang 6:3, 6:2

I am pleased to share with the Smrikva Bowl comunity parts of the article published on ITF internet site and related with this victory.

by Simon Cambers

Junior doubles winners crowned at Roland Garros

Draganja and Marcan cruised to the boys’ title with an impressive 63 62 win over fourth seeds Guilherme Clezar of Brazil and Liang-Chi Huang.

Draganja and Marcan became the first all-Croatian pair to win the boys’ title in Paris after an utterly dominant performance.

The two 18-year-olds were never in trouble and their first grand-slam title helped sooth early exits from the singles competition.

Marcan has been practising with Robin Soderling, the men’s singles finalist, and the work clearly paid off.

“He’s maybe the main reason why we’ve been playing so good in doubles lately,” Marcan said.

“After his ball, juniors is pretty slow for me. (Marin) was saying today that we played against two guys who were pretty good at the baseline but I just had a great day and it’s because Soderling’s forehand is so good. “

The pair are set to play doubles in some seniors events later this year, and though singles is the main aim for both of them, winning the title was nice compensation.

“It means a lot,” Draganja said. “We lost pretty soon in the singles and it feels good to stay in the tournament until the end.”

Marin Draganj is currently ranked #51 on ITF ranking list and his best ranking was #11. On ATP ranking list Marin is ranked #1906.

Dino Marcan is currently ranked #33 on ITF ranking list and his best ranking was #24. On ATP ranking list Marin is ranked #1797.

Congratulations boys!