The VLTC Kettle Chips Under-14 European tournament came to a close earlier this month.

On a hot and windy day, the boys’ singles final was contested by two youngsters determined to collect maximum points from this international tournament in order to strengthen their position in the category rankings.

Italian Gabriele Bombara (seeded 11th) defeated Briton Peter Alam, the no.1 seed, in two straight sets 6-3 6-3.

While the result might suggest that the game was a one-sided affair, the reality was different as the final was really hard fought, with the two players blazing shots across the court and fighting for each and every ball.

However, the wind seemed to unsettle Alam as he committed a few extra unforced errors.

The girls’ final was an all-Italian contest as top seed Arianna Zucchini played Alessandra Simone, the no.3 seed.

The match was a long one with many break points that were not exploited by either of the two players. The conditions did not help either, with breaks taking longer than normal.

However, the overall level of play was remarkably high and it took three sets for Zucchini to overcome Simone and claim the title.

Zucchini took the first set 6-3 but Simone levelled after winning the second 6-1. The decisive set was hard-fought with Zucchini coming out on top 6-3 to secure the title.

Doubles events

In the girls’ doubles final, Italians Vittoria Modesti and Zucchini had the better of Faye Nolan, of Ireland, and Chlo Isabella Tsang, of Australia, in straight sets – 6-3 6-0.

The boys’ doubles final was keenly-contested with Guy Den Ouden, of Holland, and Pavlos Parson, of Cyprus, beating Maximillian Homberg, of Germany, and Marcel Politowicz, of Poland, 4-6 6-2 11-9.