Today was much more interesting than yesterday, as many of the weakest players have been eliminated, of course, and a smaller draw made easier to follow matches and to spot interesting juniors.
Just to end up on yesterday’s matters, let’s see the results of the two Italian girls: Emma Rizzetto has lost in the second round by 6-2 7-5 against 7th seed (ranked 185), Swiss Karolina Kozakova. Gaia Maduzzi managed to reach the third round (having beaten in the second one the 8th seed Cambranos), but then lost against the 10th seed Ercan, by 6-2 6-2. The score is too severe, as the gap between Ercan and Maduzzi is not huge. The biggest difference between the two was on the serve, as the Turkish girl hit that shot noticeably well, even compared to higher ranked players.
Though, the most interesting players i have seen today are two very young American girls, who are indeed the kind of players on whose absence i was complaining about yesterday.
The first girl is Iva Jovic, ranked 214 and who has recently won a Grade 4 and reached a semi-final in a grade B1 in her home country. Being young and still fairly small framed, Jovic lacks of power and it may take to her several shots to win a point. This is normal. Though, I found her ability to open the court and to make her opponent run from one side to the other quite remarkable. Iva managed to qualify, even if it has to be highlighted that she has benefitted of a quite easy draw. She is still young and, unless her luck in the draw continues, I don’t think she currently owns the requirements (i.e. power) nrcessary to advance in the main draw. Though she owns very good tennis skills: she is fast, she hits nice and clean and she is able to find good angles. I think that as soon as she grows up a bit she can become a very good player. I find her to be a candidate as one of the best juniors. I live further predictions to when she will grow up a bit. I hope to see Iva again on Tuesday.
The second very interesting American girl is Shannon Lam. The girl is only 13 (!!!) but she already ranks in the top 500. She has lost in the second round against 16 year old Italian Greco Iucchina, who managed to take advantage of the age gap. Lam is outstanding: she is very tall for her age and hits powerful shots. But even more interesting, she is not just a striking machine: she can hit slices and chops and, notwithstanding her young age, she is tactically sound, being able to play good defensive shots and moonball her opponent, when needed. Lam’s serve is still non existent, which is pretty normal at her age; this is the main reason of today’s defeat: she was too easy to be attacked. Nevertheless, from the baseline Shannon was overall superior to her older opponent, as she led most of the rallies. I was not the only one impressed by Shannon Lam. Her opponent Greta, Greta’s coach and Greta’s father all congratulated a lot with the young American.
The last lines are instead dedicated to an Italian boy. I have first seen Massimo Giunta yesterday, when in the first round he defeated the fourth seed Minighini; today, instead, he was defeated by Bilardo. Yesterday I found the guy to be one of the best strikers I have seen in these years of attendence to Bonfiglio; I posted his pic in yesterday’s article, though i wanted to see him once more and double check my impressions, before writing on him. Even if today Massimo has lost a match which he should have won, my impressions were confirmed. Massimo owns a hell of a serve and forehand, the best combo i have seen in all the men’s matches this year and, to be honest, I have to recall Tsitsipas to find shots as effective. The backhand is not huge, but it’s decent and i think it will become a good shot. The guy has achieved no international results, but this could also be due to COVID restrictions and limitations. Today Massimo has lost because at a point he ceased to be aggressive; but during the first set he showed blowing shots, which left his opponent at 5 metres from the ball. I think Massimo owns a first class arm; which is not enough, but is indeed a good start, for a profitable tennis career. This has been his last appearence on the junior tour as, from now on, he will focus on futures.
I want to close with one notation which has nothing to do with 2022 Bonfiglio: I have just noticed that “Chuck Norris” Ylena In-Albon (to whom i dedicate the article) has won a 60k and entered the top 130 WTA. It’s a well deserved achievement for this tiny but really talented player and I hope that her educated hand will lead her to even higher achievemnts. I am also proud, to be honest, of the fact that, beside the obvious physical limitations (I am not sure she reaches 5 feet height), I always have attributed to this girl a big potential due to her golden hand and her tactical awareness. All the best to you, Ylena.
