Two Junior Tennis Champions Center players have advanced in their respective international tournaments this week. In one case, it marks a career milestone.
16-year-old Francis Tiafoe has won his first ATP points and is into the quarterfinals of the USTA 10K Men’s Futures Tournament in Palm Coast, Florida after winning two matches today. The tournament, which was rained out for the last two days, finally kicked off this morning. Tiafoe made quick work of Canadian Pavel Krainik (ranked No. 627 in the world) 6-4, 6-3 before dispatching Swede Markus Eriksson (ranked No. 420 in the world, No. 4 in the tournament) 6-4, 6-4.
With the two wins under his belt, Tiafoe gains two ATP points and will receive an ATP ranking for the first time in his career. He plays his quarterfinal match tomorrow against Pedro Sakamoto (ranked No. 497 in the world and No. 5 in the tournament). If he wins, he will likely play again tomorrow due to the rain-affected schedule.
15-year-old Usue Arconada has made it to the final of the ITF Ecuador Grade 1 Championship in Guayaquil, Ecuador after defeating American and No. 1 seed Sofia Kenin 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. This is the third ITF tournament she has played in January, winning doubles with Ecuadorian partner Rafaella Baquerizo at the Copa Barranquilla, a Grade 1 event in Barranquilla, Colombia. Arconada plays in the final tomorrow against Ukrainian Olga Fridman, the No. 4 seed in the tournament.
