Liam started the year ranked outside the top 100 in Tennis Europe 14 & under, finishing the year at 6, winning the Tennis Europe Junior Masters singles title in October. Liam also reached the singles final in the prestigious Les Petit As tournament and was a key member of the Great Britain 14 & under team which finished seventh at the World Junior Finals in Prostejov.
Dan Evans
Dans January ranking of 10 is the highest of all the Brits this year, and he lived up to his ranking in reaching the quarter-finals at the Australian Open - the best Grand Slam performance by any British boy this year. Dan also reached the 3rd round at Wimbledon before concentrating on seniors.
George Morgan
George won the 14 & under singles title at the Orange Bowl last December and followed up this year by winning the 16 & under Grand Prix Masters title and the 16 & under Junior National Championships doubles with Nick Jones. He was a member of the team which qualified for the Junior Davis Cup in Mexico. George is currently our highest ranked 1993 boy in the ITF junior rankings.
Dan Smethurst
Dan improved his ranking dramatically from 270 to 30 during the year, aided by a first Grade 1 singles success in Prerov (where he also reached the doubles final) as well as being a runner-up at Roehampton. Dan also progressed to the second round of two Grand Slams.
Marcus Willis
Marcus started the year just outside the top 50 but finished as Britains top junior, reaching 15 in the ITF rankings. This is largely thanks to his first Grade 1 title in the strong Quebec tournament, which acts as a warm-up for the US Open. Marcus also won Grade 1 doubles and Grade 2 singles titles, and reached the 3rd round at Wimbledon.
It's such a tough category because the acheivements of Willis and Broady are so far apart.
I went for Broady in the end. Not too sure if it's "easier" to find success at the younger level but it seems he has had more success at his level than the others at their levels of the junior game
Dan Evans, no doubt about it. Willis is an effective player. Saw him at Wimbo this year as well as a few other events. He is very left handed (i.e. uses a lot of top spin on the forehand and a lot of slice on the serve and backhand) which is effective up to a certain level but needs to develop his player if he wants to be a top 200 player. If he tones up, he could do want Dan has done, next season.
I went for Broady, The lad is still at school ( yes still at school..! ) fits everything in around that, and he is not full time yet. combined with class 3 travel because of his funding. Watch this space i say.
