Issue link: http://itf.uberflip.com/i/680484
CREAM RISING A few hours before the ITF Junior Masters final in Chengdu, top seed Casper Ruud unfolded a piece of paper in the player lounge at the Sichuan International Tennis Centre. As he scanned the handwritten letter a smile spread across his face. It was fan mail from a local admirer who, in broken English, wanted to wish their "idol" good luck in the title match. "Wow," said Ruud as he turned to his coach and puffed out his cheeks. If the Norwegian, who finished 2015 at No. 2 in the junior rankings, is to fulfill his candescent potential this is something he will need to get used to. Ruud was one of 16 rising stars — eight boys and eight girls — to line out at the prestigious event in China's Sichuan Province. The desired result was finishing first but the tournament was about more than just forehands and backhands for the players with sights firmly set on life as a professional. It offered a glimpse into the future, their future. The week began with a visit to Chengdu's Panda Base and finished with an official dinner, but there were red carpets, trips downtown, Chinese Opera and autograph sessions in between. The ITF also ran a player mentoring programme. Being a star tennis player comes with a medley of responsibilities so this was an opportunity for the hopefuls to engage in some juggling. When play did get underway in the 6,000-seat stadium on the Friday, it was all about the top two seeds in both draws. Ruud edged past American William Blumberg 61 46 64 in a tough opener before seeing off the extremely talented Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic 63 76 in the semifinal. In the bottom half of the draw, the shy and unassuming Korean Hong Seong Chan was making noise with his performances. The No. 2 seed advanced to the final without dropping a set, beating Alvaro Lopez San Martin of Spain 61 64 and Chilean Marcelo Tomas Barrios Vera 64 61. Hong's game is built from the ground up. Small in stature, his footwork and movement are his strengths and he attacks through excellent defence. It's part of the reason Novak Djokovic is his favourite player to watch and why he compares his game to that of Andy Murray. Hong Seong Chan and Anna Blinkova took the spoils at the second ITF Junior Masters, after a week that might just provide a sneak preview of their professional futures. Leigh Walsh reports. JUNIOR MASTERS At Chengdu's Panda Base, back row, left to right: Sofia Kenin, Usue Arconada, Charlotte R obillard-Millette, Swan, Mihalikova, Blinkova and Miriam Kolodziejova. Front row, left to right: Alavaro Lopez San Martin, Barrios Vera, Orlando Luz, William Blumberg, Miomir Kecmanovic, Ruud and Hong Hong Seong Chan in action