Surprise results at Junior Open

DOUBLE TROUBLE: Junior Open girls doubles winners Harriette Baxter and Mikaela Crawford share the limelight.

January 26 and 27 saw Mangawhai hold its own version of the Heineken Open, with talented players travelling from as far away as Kerikeri and the Manawatu for the Mangawhai Junior Tennis Open – a weekend of competitive tennis and a first for the club.

Twenty-four kids and teenagers entered the tournament, 10 of them locals. For many this was their first inter-club tournament, and the more experienced players were going to provide stiff competition in the heat.

The 12-14 boys division final was played between Jake Murray of Kerikeri and Daniel Hammond of Whangarei. 

Daniel, who is not quite 9-years-old, stunned his opposition and onlookers by winning the title. 

Daniel started playing three years ago when his older sister thought tennis would be fun. Since then he has played around 15 tournaments all over the North Island. 

“When I am down I try to come back by playing cross-court, playing down the line or with dry volleys,” said Daniel, who came from behind to win.

The girls 12-14 doubles final threw out another surprise result, with Whangarei dynamic duo Mikaela Crawford and Harriette Baxter beating the favoured Auckland pair.

Northland Tennis development officer Wendy Sykes said that she aims to provide a mini junior circuit to give young Northland players more experience, with annual tournaments in Kerikeri, Mangawhai, Whangarei and Albany. 

The next tournament is in Kerikeri in March.