Hilton Head’s Manchala to compete in World Junior Finals
Isha Manchala, a 13-year-old from Hilton Head Island, is part of a U.S. team that has advanced to the finals of an international junior tennis competition after winning all of its qualifying matches in Montreal.
Manchala competed in the 14-and-under ITF World Junior Tennis girls division as part of a three-player U.S. team. The group finished first in its qualifying bracket during round-robin play held April 15-17 at IGA Stadium in Montreal, Canada.
The United States posted a 3-0 record in group play, defeating Mexico, Canada and the Dominican Republic. Each matchup consisted of two singles matches and one doubles match.
Manchala was joined on the team by Anna Kapanadze of Staten Island, New York, and Nadia Poznick of Ann Arbor, Michigan. The team was led by captain Celeste Frey, a national coach with the United States Tennis Association.
“I really enjoyed the WJT qualifying in Canada, it was an awesome experience and I am very grateful for USTA to give the opportunity to play for Team USA,” Manchala said. “I loved having the junior BJK and junior Davis Cup team with us, because of the camaraderie and support not only from the players and the coaches but also from the mental coach, the S&C, and the physio.”
She added that competing against players from multiple countries was a highlight of the event.
“It was a great experience to play juniors from Mexico, Canada and the Dominican Republic, and make friendships that will last throughout my tennis career,” she said.
The U.S. advanced teams in all four premier junior international competitions, including the 16-and-under Junior Davis Cup and Junior Billie Jean King Cup, as well as the boys and girls divisions of ITF World Junior Tennis. Each American team finished first in its qualifying group with a 3-0 record.
The U.S. girls teams had particularly strong results, losing only one set across 18 matches. The Junior Billie Jean King Cup team did not drop a set during qualifying.
Manchala and her teammates will next compete in the ITF World Junior Tennis Finals, scheduled for Aug. 3-6 in Prostejov, Czechia. Dates and location details for the 16-and-under finals have not been announced.
The United States enters the finals as the defending champion in three of the four junior team competitions, including the girls division of ITF World Junior Tennis.
The ITF World Junior Tennis competition features players age 14 and under and includes regional qualifying rounds that determine which teams advance to the finals.
The United States Tennis Association oversees selection of U.S. teams for international events, including the Davis Cup, Billie Jean King Cup and junior competitions.
