Florida’s Austin Krajicek kept his eye on the ball and caputured two titles at the ITF Saskatoon Futures Tennis Tournament.

After a full week of hard-hitting action, the winners were crowned at the third annual International Tennis Federation Saskatoon Futures Tennis Tournament.

Walking away with championship trophies in both the singles and doubles events was left-handed American Austin Krajicek. The Florida native, currently ranked 221 in the world in singles and 121 in doubles, dropped only two sets on his way to capturing the two titles.

Krajicek teamed with fellow American, Tennys Sandgren, to win the the doubles title and, in an odd twist, faced him in the men’s singles final. Krajicek was too consistent from the baseline and edged Sandgren for a tight 7-5, 7-6(6) win. In doubles, the top seeds Krajicek and Sangren beat the second-seeded team of Roman Borvanov and Canadian Milan Pokrajac 7-6(1), 4-6, [10-3] in the final.

The field at this year’s futures event was particularly strong as it featured three players ranked in the top 300 in the world and another four within the top 500. The event brought in players from countries worldwide including: Australia, the United States of America, Peru, Japan and Moldova.

There was a strong Canadian contingent this year with 10 Canadians in the 32 man main draw. Saskatoon was well-represented with three local players competing in the singles qualifying tournament and another player competing in doubles.

The most notable Canadian competing was former junior world number one Filip Peliwo. Peliwo had an illustrious junior career winning two junior grand slams, Wimbledon and the US Open. However, at only 19-years-old he stumbled against his older opponents.

Peliwo lost in the quarterfinals to fourth-seeded Benjamin Mitchell of Australia and lost in the semifinals of the doubles draw with partner Jose Hernandez to Borvanov/Pokrajac. Already ranked inside the top 500 in the world, it will be exciting to watch Peliwo’s progress in the coming years as he tries to adjust to the men’s tour. Peliwo is striving to join fellow Canadians Milos Raonic and Eugenie Bouchard in the upper echelons of professional tennis.

Another Canadian standout, 18-year-old Brayden Schnur, arrived in Saskatoon hot off an appearance in the finals of the Kelowna Futures the previous week where he fell to fellow Canadian Philip Bester 7-6(9), 6-7(6), 3-6. In Saskatoon, Schnur lost in the quarterfinals to the eventual finalist Sandgren in a tight 7-5, 6-3 battle.

Although he possesses a cannon of a forehand and can hit stunning winners off the wing, Schnur’s lack of consistency and mental fortitude showed against the more patient and steadfast Sandgren. With strong showings at his past two events, Schnur’s ranking has catapulted from outside the top 1000 to 811th in the world.

Since its inception in 2011, the ITF Saskatoon Futures Tennis Tournament has continued to grow and draw high-profile players. The event boasts US$15,000 in prize money and, more importantly, 27 ranking points for its winner, giving players the chance to move up the rankings and spectators a chance to see professional tennis up-close in their own backyard.

For tournament director, Michelle Alting-Mees, the event is important for Tennis Canada and for the growth of the sport in Saskatchewan.

“This is how [Tennis Canada] gives their talented athletes a chance to break into the international tennis community,” she said. “To maintain this amazing event and to have a lasting impact on local, provincial and Canadian tennis we always need bright young people, like the students at U of S, to get involved, volunteer, hit some tennis balls, watch the games. I invite them all to come visit us.”

The tournament was held at the Riverside Badminton and Tennis Club from July 6-14.

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Photo: Kimberly Hartwig