Ričardas Berankis

Ričardas Berankis (born June 21, 1990 in Vilnius, Lithuania) is a junior tennis player. His first and current coach is Remigijus Balžekas from Šiauliai. As of October 2007, he is close number two in world junior rankings behind Vladimir Ignatic.

Career

Junior career

Berankis's Grand Slam singles breakthrough came at the 2007 U.S. Open - Boys' Singles, where, seeded 15, he won the title. Vladimir Ignatic, the number one player, was knocked out by Tomas Fabbiano, who was knocked out by Jerzy Janowicz, who Berankis defeated in the final. Ričardas was able to defeat 7th-seeded Roman Jebavý and third-seeded Matteo Trevisan of Italy en route to this victory over Jerzy in the final. In the tournament, Ričardas did not lose a set, however lost in the first round of the doubles competiton.

After winning Grand Slam, Berankis was invited to the press conference for half hour, then he went back out and warmed up the defending champ and world No. 1, Roger Federer.

2007

Berankis reached semifinals at the 2007 Australian Open and 2007 Wimbledon Championships, whereas he lost in the quarter finals at 2007 French Open.

Berankis and Ottawa-born Jesse Levine were the two kids Roger Federer invited to Dubai after Wimbledon as sparring partners, as he prepared for the hard-court summer season. After the Dubai trip Berankis exploded with the victories.

Aside from his U.S. Open victory, Berankis won the Portugal F3 Futures event. In the final, he defeated Belgium's Niels Desein. Another victory came out at the International Junior tennis Canadian Open in Repentigny, Quebec where he defeated Chilean Guillermo Rivera-Aránguiz in the final.

Trivia

• According to CBS, Berankis had the opportunity to practice with Roger Federer at the 2007 U.S. Open.
• According to CBS, Berankis's father drives taxicabs.

External links

• ATP Tour profile for Ričardas Berankis

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