Unassuming teenager Aleksander Mikheichev holds the hopes of Cambodia at the ITF Asia Under-14 Development Championships at the Morodok Tennis Complex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 13-year-old, who hails from Russia and now playing for the Kingdom, is the only seeded Cambodian at the qualifying tournament that has attracted 12 countries from three Asian regions \u2013 South, East and South East.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mikheichev or Sasha as he affectionally known among his peers, is seeded third and will open his singles campaign against Pakistan\u2019s Muaz Shahbaz in the second round tomorrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sasha picked up tennis when he was in Russia but has been honing his skills predominantly in Cambodia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His dad, who ironically also shares his name Aleksander and mom Nadezhda migrated to Cambodia together with his elder sister Ekaterina when he was just six-years-old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also played in the boy\u2019s doubles first round today, but he and partner Mean Sophanith were beaten 4-6, 2-6 by the Bangladeshi duo of Rafi Al-Islam Md Jobair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe singles draw has not been lucky for me. It is a tough draw,\u201d said Sasha, who is still looking to give his best and win the title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The tournament whilst being played as an individual competition, will see the top two nations with the most points qualifying for the Finals later next year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He is drawn in the bottom half and if the matches go as per seedings, he will be up against Vietnam\u2019s Vu Tuan in the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy strength is my consistency. My weakness\u2026can I give it to you after the tournament,\u201d said Sasha when asked about his game strength and weakness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The youngster, who also loves to play chess, prefers to keep his cards close to his chest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am online for classes until three everyday and by four I am on court training,\u201d said the lad, who belied his size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last November, he clinched the ATF Under-14 C2 Colombo Week 2 Tennis Tournament singles title. Sasha outclassed Cameron Prattley of Hong Kong in a stunning straight-sets victory, 6-2, 6-0, showing his all-round consistency and attacking game. The Cambodian player dominated from the baseline, using his strong serve and accurate returns to seal the match in quick time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy biggest success so far must the win in Qatar last year,\u201d said the teenager, who wants to be an architect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He won the Qatar Asian Junior U14 singles title with a polished 6-1, 6-4 final win over Egyptian Hassan Ghriari.<\/p>\n\n\n\n