Winter Nationals Week
Basavareddy, Canete Strike Gold in 12s
by
Ali Jones, 5 January 2016
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The 12s champions of the 2016 Winter Nationals share a few things in common: Nishesh Basavareddy and Christine Inah Canete were each seeded third and upset higher ranked players. Each player has a sibling who played in the 14s division, and both have Southern California roots.
And of course, they now own USTA gold balls. Basavareddy earned his first gold by beating top seed
Samuel Landau 6-7(1), 6-1, 6-2, and Canete beat second seed
Katrina Scott 6-2, 6-2.
In doubles the previous day, Canete won her first gold ball when she and finalist Scott teamed up to win 6-2, 6-4 over third seeds Zoe Hammond of Edmond, Okla. and Caroline Wernli of Austin, Texas.
In the boys doubles, singles finalist Samuel Landau and his partner Andrew Chang, Trophy Club, Texas, won the doubles gold 6-0, 6-0 over nine seeds Hudson J. Rivera and Andrew Salu, both of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.
Doubles champions and singles finalists Landau and Scott both train at Tennis Mechanix, where they work with Coach Cecil Mamiit.
"Sam and Katrina are both competitive and disciplined players who love tennis," said Coach Mamiit. "They run down every ball and are determined to play their best. They focus on improving their skills and playing to their strengths. Both players display great maturity and are able to concentrate well during matches. Additionally, Sam and Katrina each communicate well with other players and can adapt their game to complement their doubles partners' styles."
The Canete family's gold haul was not limited to Christine's two. Her sister, Mae Fmar, also took the top prize in the Girls 14s singles division. (Editor's note: more on that championship tomorrow.)
"It's a feat - three golds in the family," said Ferdinand Canete, the father and coach of the blue chip girls. "Yeah, that's a big one."
Mr. Canete's task of keeping up with his daughters' finals matches turned out easier than expected. They played alongside each other at the Reffkin Tennis Center in Tucson, Arizona.
As coach, he was able to track their performances for post-match analysis. As father, he was able to savor his daughters' victories.
