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Vucic Through to Quarterfinals in France
 Teenage star Ilija Vucic moved through to the quarterfinals of the Open
International Juniors de Beaulieu sur Mer in France on Thursday, continuing his
good run with another victory over a seeded opponent.
Two days after upsetting No. 7 seed and World Junior No. 43 Vladimir Karusevich
in the second round, Ilija defeated No. 10 seed Frederic de Fays of Belgium 6-2,
3-6, 6-3 to reach the last eight.
“This was an important step against a talented opponent,” said coach David
Sammel. “Ilija showed great composure in the third set, which is another sign of
a maturing player. When the chances come, we know he can take them under
pressure.”
The 18-year-old De Fays, ranked 66 in the world Juniors, came into the
tournament having reached the final of the Cap d’Ail Junior Open on clay two
weeks ago, his second final of the year.
However, it was Ilija who played what his coach described as “his best set ever”
to take the opener with the loss of just two games. De Fays stopped Ilija’s
momentum in the second by changing his tactics to serve and volley before
forcing a final set, but it was Ilija who got the crucial break and, when
serving for the match at 5-3, recovered from 15-40 to book his place in the
quarterfinals.
“Ilija was tight in the second set as he didn’t realise that De Fays’
serve-and-volley was desperation, last throw of the dice stuff,” said Sammel.
“But great credit to him in the third. To hold serve at 5-3 and the way he
executed from 15-40 is gold dust.
“Tomorrow is another day but his confidence is beginning to flow and hopefully
he can take another step forward.”
In the quarterfinals, Ilija will face Ilija Martinoski of Macedonia. Martinoski,
who defeated Ilija on clay in their only previous meeting in the final of the AS
Open in Macedonia back in 2005, defeated No. 4 seed Dragos Christian Mirtea in
the second round and wild card Lorenzo Papasidero in the third.
Meanwhile, Anna Fitzpatrick reached the second round of the $10,000 tournament
in Bol, Croatia before losing to No. 5 seed Anastasia Poltoratskaya of Russia
6-0, 6-4. “I had a point to go up 5-4 in the second set and double faulted,”
said Anna. “Had I gone up and hit the serve with as much racket head speed as I
could and managed to win that point it could have changed things.”
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