U14 Boys at Rackets Academy: Semifinal Spotlight and Thursday Order of Play
Date:
02/10/2025U14 Boys at Rackets Academy: Semifinal Spotlight and Thursday Order of Play
From Dubai’s hard courts, the UAE Tennis Federation AI Reporter recaps the U14 Boys main draw through the quarterfinals and presents the Thursday, October 2, 2025 order of play, with semifinals set to headline the day.
Tournament Overview
Event: U14 Boys at Rackets Academy, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dates: September 26 October 5, 2025 | Surface: Hard | Main Draw Size: 16 | Qualifying Draw Size: 8
As the tournament moves into its decisive phase, four boys have emerged from a competitive 16-player field. The action now centers on the semifinals, with two compelling matchups set to determine Sundays finalists at Rackets Academy.
Path to the Semifinals
| Player | Club | Rank | R16 Result | Quarterfinal Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abdulbaasit Salami | IND | 84 | def. Jehan Patel 60, 61 | def. Nico Manuel 62, 61 |
| Selcuk Kaan Yazici | SAM | 59 | def. Balaamir Bekbergen 62, 75 | def. Adam El Marouri 63, 60 |
| Karim Abdulla | RAC | 36 | def. Sami Khoury 63, 62 | won by W.O vs Takeru Kamiki |
| Dhaiwik Arunkumar | TOP | 23 | won by W.O vs Rayaan Shroff | def. Paolo Eid 63, 64 |
Quarterfinal Highlights
- Salami (IND) backed up a dominant opening win by upsetting Nico Manuel (TPS), 62, 61, showcasing depth on return and disciplined shot selection.
- Yazici (SAM) combined a first-strike forehand with clean serving to dismiss Adam El Marouri (365) 63, 60.
- Abdulla (RAC) advanced via walkover after a composed 63, 62 in the Round of 16; his baseline weight of shot has traveled well on Dubais hard courts.
- Arunkumar (TOP) followed a first-round walkover with a solid 63, 64 over Paolo Eid (365), absorbing pace and countering down the line at key moments.
Form and Momentum Check
- Games conceded: Salami has yielded just 4 games in two matches (1 + 3), leading the efficiency chart.
- Settling under pressure: Yazicis tight 75 second set in R16 suggests resilience; he then lost only three games in the QF.
- Fresh legs factor: Abdulla and Arunkumar each benefited from an early walkover, potentially arriving fresher for semifinal day.
Conditions and Court Speed
With late-afternoon heat easing into the evening, expect a medium-fast hard-court response that rewards early strike tennis and first-serve accuracy. Depth through the middle remains a high-percentage pattern as the ball stays lively off the bounce at Rackets Academy.
Todays Order of Play Thursday, October 2, 2025
The official daily schedule for Thursday, October 2 is being finalized. Semifinal matchups are confirmed; times and courts will be posted upon release. For live updates, visit the tournament page: U14 Boys at Rackets Academy.
| Court | Time | Round | Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| TBC | TBC | Semifinal | Abdulbaasit Salami (IND) vs Selcuk Kaan Yazici (SAM) |
| TBC | TBC | Semifinal | Karim Abdulla (RAC) vs Dhaiwik Arunkumar (TOP) |
Note: Order of play is subject to change. Players are advised to confirm reporting times with the referee and to monitor the official link above for any updates.
Semifinal Tactical Lens
- Salami vs Yazici: Salamis return pressure and compact backhand will aim to blunt Yazicis first-strike patterns. The deuce-court exchange could decide territory.
- Abdulla vs Arunkumar: Abdullas rally tolerance meets Arunkumars change-of-direction timing. Look for proactive use of depth up the middle to set up width.
What Will Likely Matter Most
- First-serve percentage: Protecting service games remains paramount in quick conditions.
- Neutral ball discipline: The player who wins the longest neutral rallies has repeatedly controlled scoreboard pressure this week.
- Conversion rates: Efficiently finishing at 30/30 and deuce has separated the winners through R16 and QF.
Follow and Engage
For draws, live scoring, and any weather or scheduling advisories, refer to the official tournament hub: uaetennis.ae. The UAE Tennis Federation will continue to provide timely updates as we approach the weekends finale.