Dubai : Top-seed Julian Lenz and seventh-seed Despoina Vogasari won the boys and girls titles at the 9th Dubai ITF Juniors Tennis Championships that concluded at the Dubai Tennis Stadium yesterday.
Uta Tschepe, Vice-President of the Hessischer Tennis Federation, near Frankfurt, was the chief guest at the prize presentation ceremony.
Joining her was Slah Bramly, General Secretary, Tennis Emirates; Simon Brown, Recreation Manager, Aviation Club; Khalid Al Ali, General Secretary, Fujairah Tennis and Country Club; Eric Gottschalk of Pro Media Middle East and Tournament Referee Hani Al Khafief.
Lenz, the losing finalist here last year, lived up to his promise by going one better this time, with a smooth 6-3, 6-0 win against second-seeded fellow German Constantin Christ.
Prior to that, the seventh-seeded Vogasari from Greece dispatched Italian qualifier Deborah Chiesa 6-1, 7-5 to help herself to her maiden crown on the ITF Junior Circuit. "This title is so special to me and my career," Vogasari blushed.
Watched by her mother Maria and friend Afzal from the stands, Vogasari seemed to get her finishing wrong towards the end of the match. She was up and serving for the set and match when she faltered too many times. "I was nervous as this was the first time that I was going to win an ITF title," she admitted later.
Though pleased with the fact that she had managed to come through the qualifiers here, Chiesa was left to rue her missed chances.
Both players travel to Osaka, Japan, this week for an ITF tournament.
Results
Boys' final: Julian Lenz beat Constantin Christ 6-1, 7-5.
Girls' final: Despoina Vogasari beat Deborah Chiesa 6-3, 6-0.
