Bellis, Kozlov Lead American Field in Orange Bowl

December 8, 2014 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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Photo credit: Calvin Rhoden

One of the world’s most prestigious junior tournaments gets underway today as the 68th installment of the Metropolia Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships takes place in Plantation, Fla.

Americans CiCi Bellis and Stefan Kozlov are two of the world’s top juniors who will be playing in the tournament, which features singles and doubles competitions for boys and girls in the 18 & Under and 16 & Under divisions.

Kozlov comes in as the fourth-ranked junior on the boys’ side while Bellis ranks second on the girls’ side. The number one spot on the girls’ side is up for grabs as top ranked Shilin Xu of China is also in the field.

The tournament will be played at the Frank Veltri Tennis Center and for the fourth-straight year on clay.

Kozlov is one of a number of top American youngsters including 2014 USTA National Clay Court champion Tommy Paul. In addition, 2014 Wimbledon junior semifinalist Taylor Fritz, Michael Mmoh, Alex Rybakov and Reilly Opelka will be in Florida for this week’s tournament.

The boys’ field is led by top-ranked Andrey Rublev of Russia.

On the girls’ side, 2013 Orange Bowl semifinalist Sofia Kenin, Raveena Kingsley and Usue Arconada join Bellis as top Americans in the tournament.

The Orange Bowl is considered to be one of the premier international junior events in the world. Founded in 1947 by Eddie Herr, the Orange Bowl has featured players from more than 50 countries and a remarkable 28 different countires have produced a champion.

Some notable past winners are: Chris Evert (1969-70), Bjorn Borg (1972), John McEnroe (1976), Ivan Lendl (1977), Gabriela Sabatini (1984), Mary Joe Fernandez (1985), Jim Courier (1987) and Anna Kournikova (1995). Roger Federer (1998), Elena Dementieva (1998), Andy Roddick (1999), Vera Zvonareva (2000, 2001), Marcos Baghdatis (2003), Nicole Vaidisova (2003) and Caroline Wozniacki (2005).


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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