Youngsters do well

Cook Islands junior elite tennis players have returned better players after gaining invaluable experience from the recent Auckland Christmas tournament.

A team of 10 junior tennis players took part in the annual tournament with Lillian Maui returning home with a gold medal in the under 16 girls junior doubles competition.

Maui placed fifth overall in the under 16 singles division after playing some excellent tennis.

The talented teenager then partnered up with Lucia Young of New Zealand to win the doubles division after going through the round unbeaten.

The pair defeated who were unseeded heading into the doubles competition taking out the number one seed of Trixie Croad and Jessica Hughson 6-3, 6-4 before facing the number two seed pairing of Mia Middleton and Ally Oliver in the finals.

Maui and Young defeated their opponents 6-3, 6-2 to win the gold medal.

Thirteen-year-old Ngana Nicholas also had a great tournament placing in the top eight in the under 14 boys division from a strong field of 128 players.

He then went on to play in the under 16 division where he was placed 16th overall from a field of 130 players.

National junior coach Malcolm Kajer was thrilled with the success and experience gained by his young team which has made stronger and confident tennis players.