For the first 2 boys semifinalists, Miguel Almeida of Portugal and James Duckworth of Australia, there’s an incredible chance to break new ground in their respective Junior careers. Neither player has been in a Grade 1-final in the past, let alone won a Grade 1-title. With no prior meetings or a great deal of experience in the latter stages of big Junior tournament, this could be a nervy, but very evenly matched tie. Possibly Almeida might have a slight edge due to greater experience on clay.

There’s no doubting who is the favorite in the second semifinal, since Carlos Boluda already defeated Karim-Mohamed Maamoun in the final of last week’s Raquette d’Or. The young Spaniard will be looking for his chance of gaining his first Grade 1-title and further fulfill the great promise that he carries in him. Maamoun, as one of the greatest Egyptian talents to ever play in Junior Tennis, will be looking to make some history of his own by preventing Boluda from winning and grabbing his first Grade 1-title.

With a chance of an all-Croatian final, things could hardly be better for the Silvia Njiric and Alja Tomljanovic. First, however, both still have opponents to defeat before achieving a rare feat. To achieve this, Njiric will have to snap 4th seed Veronica Cepede-Royg’s winning streak of 8 matches, while Tomljanovic will have to defeat surprise package Margarita Lazareva of Russia. The toughest task naturally seems to be Njiric’s match, but the fast rising Croatian seems a strong contender to reach the final. With both Njiric and Tomljanovic being born in 1993, the future of Croatian women’s tennis seems to be shining brightly.

Third round boys results Mediterranee Avenir:

Tigre Hank (MEX) d. Alessandro Bega (ITA) 7-5 6-3
James Duckworth (AUS) d. Duncan Mugabe (UGA,6) 6-4 1-6 6-3
Richard Hampel (CZE,4) d. Kelsey Stevenson (CAN,13) 6-1 6-4
Miguel Almeida (POR) d. Nat Maraga (AUS,7) 6-4 6-2
David Sofear (AUS) d. Bob van Overbeek (USA,5) 4-6 6-2 6-4
Karim-Mohamed Maamoun (EGY,3) d. Romain Arneodo (FRA) 6-4 6-3
Tiago Fernandes (BRA) d. Grant Ive (RSA,8)  6-2 6-4
Carlos Boluda (ESP,2) d. Maverick Banes (AUS,14) 6-2 6-0

Quarterfinal boys results Mediterranee Avenir:

James Duckworth (AUS) d. Tigre Hank (MEX) 6-4 7-6(5)
Miguel Almeida (POR) d. Richard Hampel (CZE,4) 6-4 3-6 6-4
Karim-Mohamed Maamoun (EGY,3) d. David Sofear (AUS) 6-3 6-1
Carlos Boluda (ESP,2) d. Tiago Fernandes (BRA) 6-2 6-0

Semifinal boys draw Mediterranee Avenir:

James Duckworth (AUS) vs. Miguel Almeida (POR)
Karim-Mohamed Maamoun (EGY,3) vs. Carlos Boluda (ESP,2)

Third round girls results Mediterranee Avenir:

Elena Chernyakova (RUS,1) d. Fatma Al Nabhani (OMA,13) 7-5 6-7(3) 6-2
Silvia Njiric (CRO,5) d. Ema Burgic (BIH,12) 2-6 6-0 6-0
Veronica Cepede-Royg (PAR,4) d. Carolina Pillot (ITA) 2-6 6-3 6-2
Chanel Simmonds (RSA,8) d. Cecilia Costa (CHI) 2-6 6-3 6-2
Margarita Lazareva (RUS) d. Alejandra Granillo (MEX,7) 5-7 6-3 6-3
Bianca Swanepoel (RSA,3) d. Maisa Feital (BRA,16) 6-3 6-1
Bistra Otashliyska (BUL,6) d. Zsofia Miko (HUN,10) 2-6 6-4 6-4
Alja Tomljanovic (CRO,2) d. Anna Morgina (RUS,15) 6-3 6-3

Quarterfinal girls results Mediterranee Avenir:

Silvia Njiric (CRO,5) d. Elena Chernyakova (RUS,1) 6-3 6-3
Veronica Cepede-Royg (PAR,4) d. Chanel Simmonds (RSA,8) 4-6 6-2 7-5
Margarita Lazareva (RUS) d. Bianca Swanepoel (RSA,3) 6-3 6-3
Alja Tomljanovic (CRO,2) d. Bistra Otashliyska (BUL,6) 0-6 6-1 6-3

Semifinal girls draw Mediterranee Avenir:

Silvia Njiric (CRO,5) vs. Veronica Cepede-Royg (PAR,4)
Margarita Lazareva (RUS) vs. Alja Tomljanovic (CRO,2)