Photo- Andre Noel
This week, the U16 Fischer Indoor Junior Nationals officially returned to Verdun, Quebec. These championships bring together the country’s top prospects and many former champions have gone on to successful careers on the professional circuit. Félix Auger-Aliassime, Denis Shapovalov and Bianca Andreescu are just some of the players who are currently making their mark on the international scene.
Once again, the finals offered quality tennis and two new singles champions were crowned: Anna-Raphaëlle Serghi of Ontario and Denny Bao of British Columbia.
Serghi captured the girls’ trophy thanks to a 6-2, 6-2 win in the championship match over ninth-seeded Addison Yang Comiskey of Quebec. The young Ontario native had an exceptional tournament, not dropping a set to any of her opponents. She also knocked off three seeded players during her time in Verdun, including top-seeded Naomi Xu, 6-1, 6-3. In winning the title, she became the first Ontario woman since 2016 to be crowned champion. The last to accomplish the feat? None other than 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu!
CheIn the boys’ event, Bao, the fifth seed, also dominated the competition, not dropping a set until the final, which he won 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 over Keegan Rice of Saskatchewan. On his way to the title, he defeated the no. 3 and no. 9 seeds, Stéphane Pierre-Jo Kamendjé (7-6[2], 6-4) and Kai Baerg (6-1, 6-2). With this win, he becomes the first player from British Columbia since Nikolai Haessig in 2008 to win a U16 Fischer Indoor Junior Nationals crown.
Exciting finals in doubles
In boys’ doubles, the top-seeded duo of Kuang Qing Xu of Quebec and Edward Stan of Ontario captured the trophy by defeating Alberta’s Kai Berg and Rice in three sets of 6-2, 1-6, 11-9. In the girls’ event, Quebec’s Catherine Gagnon and Raphaëlle Leroux, the No. 2 seeds, won the title after defeating Ontario’s Scarlett Nicholson and Serghi 6-4, 3-6, 11-9.
Click here to consult all of the tournament results.
