MUSCAT: The Junior Tennis Championship 2026 continued at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex courts in Bausher, with young players producing strong contests across several age groups as they competed for results and local ranking points.
Organised by the Oman Tennis Association, the championship runs until May 6 and forms part of the association’s domestic programme to give junior players greater match exposure, expand the base of the game and support future national team selection.
The second day featured matches in the Under-10 and Under-9 boys categories. In the Under-10 event, Hood al Hashmi defeated Fayadh al Hilali 6-0, Saeed beat Savannah 6-2, and Omar recorded a 6-0 win over Savannah. In the Under-9 boys competition, Ali beat Muhannad 6-0, while Lakshya defeated Muhannad 6-3 and later overcame Saeed 6-2. Julian beat Ahmed 6-4, while Fayadh edged Jacoppo 6-4 in one of the closer matches.
The third day saw the entry of more age groups, including Under-12 boys and girls and Under-14 boys. In Under-12 boys, Hatim al Rahbi defeated Esposito Alexander 9-8, Omar al Shaibani beat Vad Mistry 9-1 and Kabir Chopra overcame Rudraansh 9-5. Ali al Riyami continued his good form in Under-9 boys with a 7-5 win over Saeed al Marjibi.
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The girls’ Under-12 category also produced strong performances, with Salima Sadykova claiming more than one win, while Jocelyan Belford, Sarah al Maskari and Hiti Mistry also registered victories. In Under-14 boys, Abdulrahman defeated Rayaan Tyagi 9-1, Richard beat Munther al Amri 9-6 and Vihaan overcame Emad 9-2.
Friday’s matches brought further intensity in the Under-12 and Under-14 categories, alongside mini tennis action for the Under-8 group. In Under-12 boys, Aadhya Bhat defeated Hatim al Rahbi 9-3, Rayaan Tyagi beat Chris Ji 9-5, and Adhiraj Singh overcame Kabir Chopra 9-2.
In Under-12 girls, Sarah defeated Yara al Yafai 9-0, while Aaminah Khazadah beat Yara 9-2. In Under-14 girls, Talya al Busaidy defeated Jigisha Deori 9-4 and later beat Serena Varghese by the same score, while Hiti Mistry overcame Serena 9-1. In the Under-14 boys semifinals, Abdulrahman defeated Vihaan 9-2, while Richard beat Arush Pandey 9-4.
Ping Ji, father of player Chris Ji, praised the tournament’s level and organisation, saying the event gave his son an important opportunity to test his progress against familiar and new opponents. He noted that the Under-10 matches featured strong rallies, consistent serves and tactical play, reflecting the improving standard of junior tennis.
The championship continues under the technical follow-up of the national team coaching staff and the Oman Tennis Association, with player development monitored through the local ranking points system.
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