Saipan junior netters successful in Guam

Saipan junior netters Vivian Lee and Lila Mailman recently returned from a successful charge in the 3rd Annual Guam International Tennis Open at the Hilton Resort.

Coming off strong performances in the recent Aon Insurance Tennis Tournament and UMDA Junior Tennis Championships, 14-year-olds Lee and Mailman put on solid outings, both won their semifinals bouts to set up an all-Saipan title bout in the women’s 4.0 singles competition.

Four netters suited up for the category, with Lee facing Terea Tapu of Guam in one-half of the semifinals, and Mailman battling Ayuri Sugahara in the other.

Lee got off to a decent start as she had her shots working for her and was able to grab the early advantage. She was able to keep control of the opening set and won, 6-2.

Tapu was determined to stay alive and gave Lee a good run for her money in the second set. Both players matched each other really well and the set went into a tiebreaker, which Lee was able to win 7-3 for the 7-6 set win.

For her part, Mailman had it tough against Sugahara and was able to squeeze through the first set, which was decided in a tiebreaker. While fighting for every point, Mailman was able to take a 1-0 lead in the match with a 7-6 (7-3) victory.

Sugahara came up stronger in the second set and had everything go her way to force a third set with an easy 6-1 win, but Mailman came storming back in the decisive set, took advantage of a cramping Sugahara, and closed out the win with a 6-3 victory.

In the finals, Lee, who lost to Mailman in the Aon women’s open singles finals, was on fire as she was able to take care of business for a straight sets victory.

Lee had her way in the opening set, 6-1, and kept her focus in the second set for a 6-3 clincher.

In an interview yesterday, Lee said she did not think she was going to win the tournament. She, however, tried her best to keep her focus in hopes of taking home the title.

“I feel good I guess. I didn’t practice for about a week. I was injured. Something happened to my stomach, my foot, and my hands. It affected me a lot. I just had to suck it up.”

Both Lee and Mailman are currently prepping for intense regional competition as the two will represent Saipan in the ITF North Pacific Qualifying Tournament on Guam next month, and will compete in the 6th Micronesian Games in Saipan.