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Photo: Kyle Clapham||Photo: Kyle Clapham

The U12 Junior Indoor Nationals came to a close on Thursday, as the best young players in their age category competed for a chance to be crowned National champion. The girls’ final featured two talented players from opposing provinces, while the boys’ final was a family affair.

In fact, the championship match was disputed between brothers Mikael Arseneault and Nicolas Arseneault, the tournament’s no. 3 and No. 1 seeds, respectively. The Ontario natives had similar paths to the final, both fighting out tough quarter-final matches and relatively smoother semi-finals. In the championship match, it was Mikael, currently the no. 3 U12 male player in Canada, who caused the upset, defeating his brother, the No. 1 U12 player in Canada, by a score of 6-3, 7-6(5). This is his first National title. The brothers also teamed up in doubles, reaching the final but falling short to the top seeds, Finn Muller and Sava Uncianschi.

Photo: Kyle Clapham

On the girls’ side, British Columbia native Emma si yu Dong caused a little bit of a surprise, reaching the final as the no. 9 seed. She was facing the third seed and no. 5 U12 female player in Canada, Sara Kostic of Alberta. It was Dong who dominated her opponent, taking home her first National title with a 6-3, 6-0 win. Kostic got a bit of redemption, being crowned doubles champion alongside partner Waverly Potter.

Up next are the U14 and U18 Indoor Junior Nationals

Click here to see complete draws.

 

*Feature photo: Kyle Clapham

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