An entry of 56 players and an array of superb finals in the Reefs Junior Tournament yesterday heralded a resurgence in junior tennis.

In the boys 14 and under final, Alexander Cooper and Matteo Frazzoni battled it out in a tough three-setter. Frazzoni won the first set 6-4 and showed much promise but Cooper fought back to equalise taking the second set 6-3.

Both juniors played some excellent tennis with hard-fought rallies. Frazzoni looked set to win with a 5-1 lead in the third set but Cooper showed heart and eventually clawed his way back to win the third set and the match 4-6, 6-3, 7-5.

It was an inspiration to the other juniors to see such a high level of tennis. Frazzoni had a great tournament and showed much improvement from past events and looks set to challenge the tops seeds in coming events.

Frazzoni then teamed up with his mixed doubles partner and top junior Ashley Brooks, to take the 18 and under mixed doubles event in another three-set match which saw Frazzoni and Brooks defeat Shakira Warner and David Thomas 3-6, 6-1, 6-2.

Alexander Cooper wasn’t finished with his matches having qualified for three finals events, he then went on to participate in both the 16 and under and 18 and under singles finals. In the boys 18 and under event, gentle giant David Thomas proved too strong a match for Cooper, taking him easily 6-0, 6-1.

Thomas who has been on the juniors scene for a while continues to hold the number one ranking in the boys open event. Cooper, after playing five sets of tennis in earlier matches, succumbed to Frederick Wade in the boys 16 and under final. Wade played a solid match to claim the title 6-4, 7-5.

In other action Jack Keyes, number one seed in the boys 12 and under, defeated Thomas Moniz 6-1, 6-1 to claim the title, while Chris Rego took home the title in the boys 10 and under event defeating Andrew Forgesson 8-7 (7-4).

In the girls finals, Clementine Keyes continued to show her winning ways, taking two titles in the girls, 10 and 12 and under events. Catherine Cooke made it to two finals events in the girls 14 and under and 16 and under events, Cooke took the girls 14 and under title, while Cayla Cross defeated Cooke in the Girls 16 and under event 6-1, 6-3 to take the 16 and under title. Cross also took home the girls 18 and under title.

In mixed doubles action, the brother and sister duo of Caitlin and James Spence went on to win the 12 and under mixed doubles title defeating Chris Rego and Jessica Burns in a three set marathon match, 6-3, 1-6, 7-3.

Prize presentation is set to take place this Friday, with details to be e-mailed to players shortly.