Preparations are well in hand at the Tennis Club Kordin which since last Friday started hosting and will by tomorrow, provide competition for no less than 80 Junior players coming from 19 European countries.

As usual the Italians have a very strong contingent, led by Alberto De Meo seeded at No eight.

Other players have already participated in this prestigeous Junior tournament over the past years.

Strong participation has also been registered from Germany with four out of the eight taking part occupying four seeding positions, Great Britain with six and Malta with ten.

A number of local U-12’s will be taking part for the first time in an international event led by the now experienced Omar Sudzuka who this year will be his last time participating in this category. Fresh from his achievements at the Malta Junior Open in the U-14’s and U-16’s events, he will be able to offer a strong challenge to the visitors.

In the Girls event the locals will be led by the promising Brenda Galea who although still lacking any ETA Ranking points, should be able to garnish her first precious points which will enable her chances for a better draw in future junior tournament.

The Top seeds in the Boys Singles are Lloyd Glasspool from Great Britain with 99 points and German Nick Blehman with 168 points.

In the Girls event one finds Norwegian Thale Myhre with 137 points and Denise Maxl from Austria with 307 points.

The tournament, part of the Tennis European Tour Circuit is organised annually by the Malta Tennis Federation in collaboration with the Tennis Club Kordin.

It is now well established and is in its seventh year. Earlier this year the Club was also entrusted by Tennis Europe Junior Tour with the 16 and U Junior tournament.

One hopes that Maltese juniors who are truly interested in tennis would make it a point to visit the Tennis Club Kordin to withness for themselves the dedication and determination of these young foreign participants.