12th January 2009
For immediate release
Sovereign Superstars Day One
Day one of the Sovereign Superstars saw the spoils shared with Claudia Williams winning her only game in the girls event
while in the boys, it is advantage Arapeta Collier-Waiomio from Hamilton after he edged Niko Vulinovich in the only boys
game.
Collier-Waiomio was pleased to have won first up.
“That was cool as, especially to win my first game. I couldn’t believe the amount of people watching. You knew that if
you stuffed up they would all go ‘aaahhh’ and if you played well they would clap.”
Vulinovich meanwhile is hoping to win the second game to force a decider tomorrow.
“That was alright, I felt pretty good and the crowd and support was great, I could hear them shouting my name a few
times. To have the umpire and lines people was cool too; we aren’t used to proper calling. I will improve tomorrow and
play better I’m sure.”
Pang Suwanaposse from Christchurch defeated Shaani Temata-Frost of Palmerston North in the first girls match but went on
to lose against Williams who will play two games tomorrow. Wins in both will assure the North Island U12 champion the
title.
Suwanoposse was buzzing after her games.
“I was a bit nervous and excited at the same time, it was a great experience. Having an umpire and ball kids was pretty
weird but I managed to put that out of my mind and settled in quickly. I was happy with my games and was amazed at how
quickly they went.”
Williams was pleased with her performance and has her eye on three from three tomorrow, albeit she headed away late in
the day for physio treatment.
“I hurt my arm last week and I’m not sure what the problem is. It is pretty sore but I hope I can get through tomorrow
okay.”
Meanwhile Temata-Frost admitted nerves got the better of her.
“I was really, really nervous with the cameras, the crowd and the umpire talking on the microphone. The weirdest thing
was not calling your own lines – I was about to call one and suddenly realized I didn’t have to!”
In the boys Collier-Waiomio and Vulinovich will play a further two matches with the Sovereign Superstar being decided
across the three games after Ben Johnston (Christchurch) had to withdraw with a hamstring injury. It was a bitter pill
for the 12 year old to swallow but a visit to the tour trainer confirmed he will not play for 3 to 5 weeks after
suffering the injury in the nationals last week.
The Sovereign Superstars brings together the best young players in the country for a ‘money can’t buy’ experience as
they live life like a touring professional for a few days. The players and a parent stay in the official tournament
hotel, travel by VIP transport and play on centre court live on television with ball kids, umpires and all the
trimmings.
Day One Results (each game a super tie break, first to ten)
Pang Suwanaposee 10 Shanni Temata-Frost 5
Niko Vulinovich 7 Arapeta Collier-Waiomio 10
Claudia Williams 10 Pang Suwanaposee 5
TUESDAY, JANUARY 13TH CENTRE COURT
- 10.40am Niko Vulinovich Arapeta Collier-Waiomio
- After Heineken Open Match 1 Claudia Williams Shanni Temata-Frost
- After Heineken Open Match 2 Arapeta Collier-Waiomio Niko Vulinovich
ENDS