USTA Florida hosted its prestigious event with the 2026 Bobby Curtis Green Ball Championship at Lake Cane Tennis Center on October 24 and 25. More than 40 of the top juniors in the 10 & Under division competed across a weekend of pool play and knockout rounds, with several matches going down to the wire.
Players used green balls, which are slightly decompressed compared to standard yellow balls. This format is designed to match the skill level of 10-year-olds while keeping play competitive. Matches followed a short-set format, with players needing just four games to win a set. If tied after two sets, the match was decided by a 7-point tiebreaker.
Boys’ 10 & Under
Top seed Cyrus Allain (Plantation) came in with unfinished business after finishing fourth at last year’s Green Ball Championship. He went unbeaten through pool play to win his group and earn a bye into the semifinals, where Christian Ligman (Gainesville) gave him everything he could handle. Cyrus edged a pair of 4-3 sets to survive and reach the final.Â
Waiting for him was third seed Vladimir Morekhodov (Orlando), who had won his own group before coming through a semifinal tiebreaker against Stephan Panic (Winter Garden) 2-4, 4-2, [7-2].
The final belonged to Cyrus, who jumped out early and never let up, closing out a 4-0, 4-1 win to go from fourth place to champion in the span of a year. In the third place match, Christian Ligman defeated Stephan Panic 4-1, 4-0.
Top Boys’ Finishers
Championship: Cyrus Allain (Plantation) defeated Vladimir Morekhodov (Orlando) 4-0, 4-1
Third Place: Christian Ligman (Gainesville)
Fourth Place: Stephan Panic (Winter Garden)
Girls’ 10 & Under
Vera Casey (Ormond Beach) was in control from the moment the playoff bracket began. After drawing a bye into the semifinals, Vera faced fifth seed Iris Zhao (Orlando) and came out firing, taking the opening set 4-0 before holding off a much tighter second set to win 4-3.
Waiting for her in the final was Nikol Siliutina (Clermont), who had battled through the bracket with a 4-3, 4-0 win over Anysia Han (Orlando) in the quarterfinals before knocking off fourth seed Chaitra Palempati (Odessa) 4-3, 4-1.
The championship match followed a familiar pattern for Vera. She jumped out to a 4-0 first set, and although Nikol pushed her much harder in the second, Vera closed it out 4-3 to become the Green Ball Champion. In the third place match, Chaitra Palempati defeated Iris Zhao 4-1, 4-3.
Top Girls’ Finishers
Championship: Vera Casey (Ormond Beach) defeated Nikol Siliutina (Clermont) 4-0, 4-3
Third Place: Chaitra Palempati (Odessa)
Fourth Place: Iris Zhao (Orlando)
The Bobby Curtis Championship continues to highlight Florida’s rising talent, promoting growth, sportsmanship, and a strong foundation for future success.
*All Photos Courtesy of Lake Cane Tennis Center
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