Top Seeds Untroubled at Eden Epsom

The seeded players have largely been untroubled in the early rounds of the North Island Junior Age Group Championships at Harcourts Eden Epsom.  With 177 entrants, the Championships are the largest in recent years.

Scott Galloway led the charge as top seed of the boys’ under 19 draw.  At only 15 years of age, Galloway has an historic title within reach.  After a first round bye, Galloway comfortably beat Daniel Foster 11-1, 11-3, 11-4 to secure a position in the quarter-finals.  Aucklander Sion Wiggin – expected to be Galloway’s main threat for the under 19 title – also progressed comfortably to the quarter-finals with a straight games win.

The biggest shock of day one came when third seeded Cantabrian Theo Zbijowski was beaten in five sets by unheralded American Billy Berner in the second round of the boys' under 19.  Berner is part of a group of American players who have been touring New Zealand over the past few weeks.  

A minor upset in the girls under 19 draw, with fifth seed Vanessa Larsen of Wellington beating Hamilton’s Taylor Ashton.  Larsen joins top seeds Sophie O’Connell, Jacinta Matson and Devon Wright in the semi-finals.  O’Connell, of Waimea, is fresh from winning the South Island under 19 title in Oamaru at the weekend and will be keen to add the North Islands to her collection.

Two Lukes are favoured in the under 17 boys’ draw.  Luke Cooper of Mt Maunganui is the top seed, and has comfortably progressed to the round of 16.  On the opposite side of the draw Tararua’s Luke Jones has done likewise.  Their quarter-final matches will be played later this evening.

The top four seeds received byes to the second round in the under 17 girls’ draw, and will enter the fray on Saturday morning.

Matches are being played at the Harcourts Eden Epsom and Royal Oak Clubs all day on Saturday, with major finals at Harcourts Eden Epsom on Sunday.  The under 19 finals will be played at 3pm - spectators welcome.