Barcelona Sports Academy Players Shine on the International Stage
Barcelona Sports Academy players excelled in international tournaments across Europe and Africa, competing on both the ITF professional and junior circuits.
It has been another exciting period for Barcelona Sports Academy, with our players competing across Europe and Africa on both the ITF World Tennis Tour and the ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors. From professional-level victories and quarter-final appearances to a junior doubles final, our athletes continued to gain valuable international experience and represent the Academy with determination, professionalism and fighting spirit.
One of the standout performances came from Ohunene Comfort, who enjoyed an excellent doubles campaign at the J60 Accra in Ghana alongside Success Ogunjobi. After receiving a first-round bye, the pair produced a dominant quarter-final performance, defeating Omoyinka Ayinla and Purva Singh 6–1, 6–0. They then battled their way through a competitive semi-final, overcoming Goodnews Eyinjuoluwa Aina and Winner Gakpo 7–6(3), 7–5 to book their place in the final. Their impressive week ended with a runner-up finish after a 5–7, 3–6 defeat against Pippa Fennis and Milana Kolesova.
Maria Herazo also delivered a strong performance on the professional circuit at the W15 Constanța in Romania, reaching the quarter-finals on clay. Maria began with a solid 6–4, 7–5 victory over Austria’s Anna Lena Ebster. In the second round, she demonstrated tremendous resilience, recovering from a difficult opening set to defeat Hungary’s Melinda Biro 0–6, 7–5, 6–2. Her run eventually came to an end in the quarter-finals against Romania’s Giulia Safina Popa, 4–6, 2–6.
Maria has already carried that positive momentum into this week. Competing at the W50 Heraklion in Greece, she opened her campaign with an impressive 6–2, 6–4 victory over Mika Buchnik to secure a place in the second round, where she is set to face İpek Öz.
Another important professional-level victory came from Mia Horvit at the W35 Santa Margherita di Pula in Italy. Entering the main draw with a wild card, Mia showed excellent character in her opening match against Viola Turini. After dropping the first set, she fought back to claim a 5–7, 6–4, 6–4 victory and advance to the second round. There, she pushed Martina Colmegna in two very close sets before eventually falling 5–7, 5–7. A main-draw victory at W35 level represents another positive step in Mia’s development.
Cezar Stefan Simion was in action at the J60 Veli Lošinj in Croatia, competing in the boys’ singles qualifying draw on clay. Cezar made a strong start with a 6–3, 7–6(3) victory over American Kai Miller. His qualifying campaign ended in the following round against Robert Iorga, 4–6, 4–6, but not before adding another valuable international win to his experience.
On the ITF Women’s World Tennis Tour, Lia Karatancheva competed in the main draw of the W50 Plovdiv in Bulgaria, facing Germany’s Jule Niemeier in the opening round. Despite a difficult start, Lia fought hard in the second set before Niemeier took the match 6–0, 6–4.
Our Academy was also represented at the J200 Vigo in Spain, where one of our junior players competed in the main draw on hard courts. The campaign ended in the opening round against Spain’s Lucia Rodriguez, 1–6, 3–6, providing another opportunity to compete and develop at a strong J200 international event.
Across different countries, age groups and levels of competition, these tournaments represent much more than individual results. Every victory, difficult match, comeback and international appearance contributes to the long-term development of our players.
At Barcelona Sports Academy, we are extremely proud of all our athletes for the dedication, hard work and competitive spirit they continue to demonstrate. Special congratulations go to Ohunene for reaching the doubles final in Accra, Maria for her quarter-final run in Constanța and strong start in Heraklion, and to Mia and Cezar for adding important international victories.