Nine-year-old Evan Morgan was singles winner of Portugal’s southern region SMASH tour championship for the Under-10 age group, held in Portimão on October 8 and 9.
Representing the Clube de Ténis Quinta do Lago, Evan won two group matches before progressing to the knock-out rounds.
Without dropping a set throughout, he powered to the final where he overwhelmed an opponent who had beaten him just six months earlier.
Jim Stewart from the Jim Stewart Tennis Academy, where Evan receives his coaching, said: “This reflects the rapid progress Evan is making under our specialised kids’ coaching regime. We are very proud of him.
“We have around 120 kids playing at JSTA, at all levels, from those like Evan with a dedicated approach to those who just play for fun.”
Evan, who started playing tennis at the age of five, is also fortunate to receive expert support from his proud parents Graham and Karen.
Evan represents a group of junior players, including Louis Manson, Russell Henderson, Oliver Monteiro and Nadia Stewart (Algarve’s Under-12 No.1), who have progressed under the tutelage of Zé Lopes, one of JSTA’s specialist coaches.
