Alameda, Calif.- NorCal’s own Aidan Mayo claimed the Le Blanc Cup boys’ title with Team USA this past week in St. Hyacinthe, Canada.
Not only did Mayo, a native of Roseville, Calif., help the team go undefeated in the tournament to capture the title, but he also got the chance to meet 39 other players from nine different nations.
“It was a great experience,” Mayo said. “The atmosphere there is awesome because all of the kids from different countries are cheering for each other and coming together.”
The event wasn’t just all tennis, either. Along with meeting international players, Mayo stayed with the tournament director’s family in the St. Hyacinthe area, where he got to know local residents and even celebrated a birthday for one of the host family members. It was one of the perks for Mayo along with the stellar competition.
“It’s cool how you get to see all these kids in your age group, not just in California but also nationally and internationally,” said Mayo. “It’s really great how we can play so many different players from these different countries.”
The Le Blanc Cup, or Coupe Le Blanc, is a 12 & Under international invitational event, with the draw limited to 20 boys and 20 girls from nine nations. Team USA featured Mayo and Kittay on the boys’ side as well as Cori Gauff of Delray Beach, Fla., and Charlotte Owensby of Boca Raton, Fla., on the girls’ team.
Mayo went 4-1 in singles and 6-0 in doubles with teammate Kittay against some of the top international junior competition. Gauff and Owensby made it an American sweep by capturing the girls’ title in the tournament.
“I liked playing with Ben because he’s a big player with a big serve,” said Mayo. “He can set me up at the net and close up the point. We work well together and we’re a good team. I thought we performed very well, both me and my partner, and the girls. The kids are all tough players.”
The full results for the Team USA boys at the Coupe Le Blanc are below. Congratulations to Aidan and all of Team USA!
USA def. Brazil, 3-0
Aidan Mayo (USA) def. Pedro Boscardin (BRA) 7-5, 6-3
Benjamin Kittay (USA) def. João Victor Couto (BRA) 6-3, 6-4
Kittay/Mayo (USA) def. Couto/Boscardin (BRA) 8-6
USA def. France, 3-0
Aidan Mayo (USA) def. Roméo Bastien (FRA) 6-4, 6-2
Benjamin Kittay (USA) def. Cinké Aglossi (FRA) 7-5, 6-2
Kittay/Mayo (USA) def. Aglossi/Bastien (FRA) 8-3
USA def. Mexico, 3-0
Aidan Mayo (USA) def. Alejandro Correa (ESP) 6-3, 4-6, 6-1
Benjamin Kittay (USA) def. Blas Ruiz (ESP) 6-4, 6-0
Kittay/Mayo (USA) def. Ruiz/Correa (ESP) 8-1
USA def. Quebec, 3-0
Aidan Mayo (USA) def. Thomas Santaguida (QUE) 6-2, 6-1
Benjamin Kittay (USA) def. Jérémi Gagnon (QUE), 6-3, 6-5
Kittay/Mayo (USA) def. Gagnon/Santaguida (QUE), 8-0
USA def. Peru, 2-1
Rodrigo Montes de Oca (Peru) def. Aidan Mayo (USA), 6-1, 6-3
Benjamin Kittay (USA) def. Christopher Li Ludeña (Peru) 6-3, 6-4
Kittay/Mayo (USA) def. Montes de Oca/Ludeña (Peru), 8-3
USA def. Brazil, 2-0
Benjamin Kittay (USA) def. João Victor Couto (BRA) 6-1, 6-4
Kittay/Mayo (USA) def. Couto/Boscardin (BRA) 8-6
Aidan Mayo (USA) vs. Pedro Boscardin (BRA) Unfinished
