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Saltiel wins twice at junior event

By NANCY MORGAN
Published November 22, 2006

A plethora of grunts, groans and "come ons" were heard across the courts among more than 200 juniors in last weekend's Fall Junior Super Series at East Lake Woodlands Country Club in Oldsmar.

About a dozen players from the St. Petersburg area competed, including Alex Saltiel.

Though this was just the second tournament in three months for Saltiel, who was recovering from a shoulder injury, he was the top seed in the boys 12-and-under singles. He not only earned that title but also doubles with David Teytelbaum of Belleair.

"I'm pretty intense on the court," said Saltiel, 11, "but, that's mostly on the court. It helps me to be assertive on the court, especially if I'm questioning a call. It puts them on their toes."

Saltiel first defeated Tampa's Alez Crnogorac 6-1, 6-1, then No. 5 Juan Bisono 7-5, 6-3. In the semifinals Saltiel downed No. 4 Tucker Brown of Wesley Chapel 6-1, 6-2, and in the final he led Gonzalo De La Carrera 2-0 and 40-15 in the third game when his opponent withdrew.

Saltiel started playing around age 5 with Kevin Quay, who had his protege switch to a one-handed backhand when he was about 8. Saltiel now executes slice and topspin shots off his left side at will.

Lately he also has worked with Tommy Thompson and Shihka Singh at the St. Petersburg Tennis Center.

"With my one-handed backhand, I get more power and it's actually easier to hit," Saltiel said. "I'll keep working at it because I want to be No. 1 in the state and in the nation in the 12s."

Saltiel reached No. 1 in the 10-and-under division in singles and doubles with Miami's Baker Newman. Saltiel also was named to Florida's 12 Zonal Team that competes in a coed team format.

"That was the most fun," Saltiel said. "It was great playing as a team and playing against players other than those from Florida."

Saltiel is slated to compete in the Eddie Herr International junior championships this month in Bradenton, followed by the Prince Cup in Key Biscayne.

NET SHOTS: Joining Saltiel as a singles winner was girls 18 top seed Danielle Collins, who teamed with Sarasota's Brittany Lashway to capture the 18 doubles.

In doubles, Emily Dvorak and Tampa's Amber Li won the girls 16, as did Julia Teytelbaum and Lithia's Jaci Watson the 14. Becky Bodine and Tampa's Jana Quinones got to the 18 final.

- Donna Roberts in the women's 40-and-over and Jason Horwitz in the men's 30 were among last weekend's winners in the Safety Harbor Holiday Classic. Finalists included Anya Coy in the women's open, Debbie Hobbs the 50, Melody Raetz the 40, Michael Erbe the men's 40, and Galin Nizortchev the open.

- Coy in the women's open and Jeswin Jolly in the men's open won as top seeds in this month's Adult Winter Classic at the Temple Terrace Tennis Center. Galin Nizortchev men's open and Jimmy Gatza (40) were finalists.

- With the South County Doubles League winding down, leaders among the women are the Renaissance Vinoy, unbeaten in the 3.0 among four teams; SPCC Aces, 8-0 in the eight-team 3.25; St. Petersburg Tennis Center, 7-0 among four teams in the 3.5.

For the men, Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club is 5-2 with one match left in the five-team 3.0/3.5 division.

- Agathy and Adam Ambrozy and Robert Dvorak are scheduled to play this week in Orlando in the USTA National Open for girls and boys in the 12-and-under division.

SAVE THIS DATE: The College Tennis Academy plans its College Tennis Exposure Camp for juniors aged 15-18, Dec. 9-10 at USF. Call 1-800-446-2238 or go to www.collegetennis.com for details.

COMING UP: The Turkey Bowl Super Series for juniors is Friday through Sunday at the Seminole Lake Tennis Academy. Call 394-1733. ... The Pre-Holiday Junior Classic is Dec. 2-4 at the McMullen Tennis Complex. Call 669-1919.

News for this column may be faxed to Nancy Morgan, 445-4119; e-mailed to namorgan@tampabay.rr.com or sent to 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756. Please include phone number.

[Last modified November 21, 2006, 20:22:39]