Tournament Dates 2015: March 8-15 

The ITF U18 Empire Cup takes place in Trnava's club in March. It's an opportunity for young players to play on their home land against international rivals. Tennis fans can see many Slovak tennis talents including members of TC EMPIRE in the main draw.

Titles from the International U18 Indoor tournament (Grade 4) in Trnava, which was played on hard surface, belong to the foreign players. The Slovak Nikola Dolakova lost in the singles final 2-6, 1-6 to Sabina Machalova and Pole Kacper Zuk beat Romanian Alexander Lazarov 6-2, 6-0.

In women's final, Nikola Dolakova, the member of TK Vysoke Tatry, was defending her title from the last year. Sabina Machalova, who has advanced from the qualifying to the final, was too strong for her. "It was important to break her serve in the first set at 0-2. Then I played my game. I didn't expect the title. I just wanted to play good tennis here. This is my last ITF tournament in winter. I'm very happy, because to win a tournament, when I'm a qualifier, is a real success. I hope, that I will repeat this few times more. Now I want to focus more on women's tournaments," said Sabina Machalova, who felt good on TC EMPIRE courts. "I'm here for the second time in my life. Last year, I lost in the 1st round of this tournament. Hard surface is great, it suits me. It's beautiful and comfortable surroundings here," concluded Machalova, No. 1088 in the ITF ranking.

GIRLS FINAL VIDEO 

Polish winner hasn't played tennis for a year

Kacper Zuk, No. 734 in the ITF ranking, was an unseeded player. He beat seeded No. 5 Lazarov in the final. „It was my best match of the tournament. I was serving and playing very well. At the same time, this was my best performance after my comeback after a year when I had not played. Now, I need to chase points for the ITF ranking," said Pole, who underwent back surgery last year.
He came back in January 2015, when he won singles and doubles titles at the Magnolia Cup 2015 tournament in Stetin, Poland. And now he has 2nd singles title in his pocket. "I really enjoyed playing in Trnava, it's good to train here. This whole tennis centre is admirable," added Zuk, who will play junior tournament in Doha next week.
Both singles champions earned 40 ITF points, finalists 30 points.

BOYS FINAL VIDEO AND THE INTERVIEW WITH KACPER ZUK

WIINER FROM POLAND - Kacper Zuk (PHOTO: Milan Hutera)

WIINNER FROM CZECH REPUBLIC - SABINA MACHALOVA (PHOTO: Milan Hutera)

PHOTOGALLERY Milan Hutera ( http://milanhutera.com/galleries/sports-corner/)

THE ARTICLE BEFORE THE 2015 EDITION  

Previous Winners:

EMPIRE Cup U18 - 2014 

BOYS FINAL - VIDEO 

GIRLS FINAL - VIDEO