St. Francis Tennis Foundation’s Ethan Delali Dzidzornu was in tears after beating Tema based Ernest Sarkodia in an hour and 20 mins game to win the 2024 Sydney Katz Junior Open Championship, 12 and under category.
Ethan Delali who lost last year finals to Joseph Tetteh 4-6,6-0,3-6 in the GT Oddoye Junior 10 and under championship came back stronger with relentless domination of tennis with no sign of letting up as he defeated Joseph Tetteh 4-1, 4-2 in the semifinals before finishing it up with a 4-0,0-4,10-7 win over Sarkodie in the finals at the Accra Lawn Tennis Club.
The Tema Ridge school star, Ethan Dzidzornu and his opponent Bismark Sarkodie traded with big blows from baseline and after serving two break points to lead 2-0, Ethan pinched Sarkodie’s serve for 3-0 before serving for out the opener. Sarkodie came back to win the second set 4-0.
In the final set , Another early break put Ethan in command and sealed the victory by taking Sarkodie’s serve.“It means a lot to me,” Ethan said, after standing, arms aloft as he sealed the win.
“We put in a lot of work in many, many hours – a lot of sacrifices. It was a very nice moment for me.”
Ghana’s Tennis Club upcoming star Jeffery Frimpong won the boys 14 under category title after beating Winneba based Michael Nyarko 4-1,1-4,4-2. Listowel Plommey from St. Francis Tennis Academy, Ashaiman won the boys 16 and under title.
However, in the girls’ event, No.2 seed Witnney Orimdoye defeated No.1 seed Grace Tetteh 5-4(4), in the final of the Sydney Katz Open 10 and under title.”I’m really happy with how I was able, to win my first title in 2024,” Whitney said. thanks to Grace, she’s not an easy player, I think she’s one of the most talented players.”
Another trophy for St. Francis Tennis Academy where Nhyira Antwi won the girls 12 and under after defeating Akaguri 5-3,3-5,(10-7). In the girls 14 and under, Osu Based Georgette Nortey defined all odds after upsetting top seed Angel Bagerbaseh in the second round and defeated her arch-rival Phylis Kotey in the semifinals before finishing it with a win 4-1,4-2 over Philipina Sewornu.
It was a family affair in the girls 16 and under as Mbongta Awantang beat her sister Bei-neh Awantang 4-1,4-0 to win title.
The tournament organizer, Michael Nortey said, I am happy we have been able to organize the fourth edition very well. I thank all the winners. I urge all to expect something bigger in the 5th edition of Sydney Katz Open because it will be five years of the event.
