LWSPO Day 8: Weather becomes a major player

After an amazing stretch of weather, the inevitable happened: rain! If you live in the Lower Mainland, you know only too well that summer rain is a fact of life. The day started well with 13 U10 Boys’ matches played, involving 26 competitors, before the weather turned. Unfortunately, the U10 Girls were rained out.

Junior Boys in action before the rains came!

The Boy’s ITF division also got off to a good start but play had to be abandoned half way through. Once the downpour ceased, an army of officials, volunteers and parents took to the courts armed with squeegees, towels to dry the lines, and leaf blowers to put the final touches on the efforts to dry the courts–but it was not to be. Within 15 minutes of play starting again, the heavens opened.

Young competitors worked hard to reach the finals.

Boys’ and Girls’ 3.5 Junior Singles action wrapped up today. The U12 Boys’ Singles final featured Branden Chen who defeated Lucas Jun Yo Chen 6-2, 6-4, while the Girls’ U12 Singles final showcased Lauren Van Der Berg who defeated Muyang Mei 6-2, 6-3. Also wrapping up, Boy’s U14 Singles. Tymofii Trushenov defeated Aidan Shokrani 6-2, 61, and Girls’ U14 Singles, an epic battle between Melissa Wang and Rachel Wu with Wang triumphing 6-4, 5-7, 10-8. Congratulations to all the finalists!

Lots of events wrapping up near the end of week 1 at the LWSPO.

Play moved indoors

The decision was made to move indoors to the Richmond Tennis BC Hub and Arbutus Ridge. Thankfully, staff were ready to welcome the many players. The Hub is currently undergoing renovations, so it was a huge effort on the part of onsite staff to get things up and running.

Play got underway in the afternoon and featured the final for the Boys’ ITF Doubles which pitted two local lads, Owen Nguyen and Jack Davison who defeated two stalwart competitors from Quebec, Benjamin Azar and Miko Lapalme, 6-2, 7-5. Girls’ ITF Doubles also came to a close with Alessia Cau and Sarah L’Allier defeating Eliana Kook and Gian Octa in the final, 6-0, 6-3. Well done to all the finalists so far!

Boy’s ITF Doubles finalists, after a hotly contested match–Jack Davison and Own Nguyen defeated Benjamin Azar and Miko Lapalme

Girls’ ITF Doubles final winners and runners-up, Alessia CAu and Sarah L’Allier defeated Eliana Kook and Gian Octa, 6-0, 6-3.

Saturday’s play has also been moved indoors, including Open qualifying, the ITF Singles finals, and the NTRP finals. Fingers crossed for a return to sunny skies as the Open gets underway over the coming week!

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