Vucic Scores Singles Semis & a Hatrick in Doubles

MCTA player Ilija Vucic finished the Asian tour on a high note, winning the doubles title of the 11th Sarawak Chief Minister's Cup ITF Junior Tennis Championships 2008 and reaching his first Group 1 semi-final in singles, before bowing out to the world number 12,Yuki Bhambri from India 62, 64.

Vucic joined forces with Niki Mozer from Austria to win their second consecutive doubles title, which was Ilija's third one. They won 63, 62 in the final against no2 seeded Siributwong and Chiramanowong from Thailand.

Henri Kontinen was mentally and physically a bit jaded after back to back finals and lost 2nd round in Malaysia but bounced back to make a semi final in the doubles before narrowly losing to eventual champions, team mate Vucic and Austrian Niki Moser in a championship tie-break thriller 67(4) 62 76(10).

"This was an important result for Ilija and the first significant junior singles result since last summer. We have asked for more mental consistency for a few months in singles and this week we got it! Both Henri and Ilija can reflect on a tour that gives them a real shot at ending the year in the top 10, a goal we have always stated as an objective" said David Sammel MCTA's director of Tennis.

He added "I also congratulate Igor for a fine coaching job in challenging conditions both on and off the court. We wait with interest to see exactly how high the boys have risen when the ranking points are all on the board in 2 weeks".