By Jonathan Leask  January 27, 2012

If you called into the Ashburton Trust Tennis Centre this week you could be mistaken for thinking you were in Melbourne.

It has had all the polish and trimmings of a tennis grand slam event but the ITF Sunsmart 18 and under Summer Championships is only a showcase for the future stars of the game.
The Ashburton Trust Tennis Centre has hosted the international junior tournament this week and the crowds have had the chance to witness some future stars of the game.
Although deemed a grade four tournament, the level of tennis has been exceptional from the teenage players, so much so that their ability to hit the ball with so much power and control has left local juniors and the seasoned veterans bewildered at the talent.
"They can all hit the ball with such power but also with precision," Mid Canterbury Tennis President Cynthia Christie said.
"Some of the rallies are just fantastic to watch and the people that have come down to watch have all been impressed at the ability on display."
On court, as well as having all the repertoire of shots, the players wear their designer tennis gears, mirroring that of their heroes playing in the Australian Open.
"They all look the part with big brand designer dresses and shirts matching the pros."
There is even the odd grunter, at a minimal level, but there has been an abundance of "come on" calls.
Off court, they all have the massive bags packed full of shoes and rackets, with the mp3 players the item of choice for downtime.
The biggest concerns from the players are getting their rackets restrung and replacing worn out footwear.
"They have been wearing out shoes thick and fast.
"I would imagine a few shoe outlets in town have benefited this week from a demand for new shoes.
"In terms of the rackets restringing, there has just been a steady demand.
"They all want the best, someone with a reputation, which is why they have sent them up to Christchurch each day and had them returned the next morning.
The man charged with restringing is Tony Ralse, a former Ashburton College student who is now a trusted professional.
"He went to the ASB Classic and the Heineken Open in Auckland but reckons he has done more rackets this week than at both of the pro tournaments."
His work is not done with yet with the tournament gearing up for a big finish, weather permitting.
The semi-finals are due to be completed today before the tournament concludes tomorrow morning with the main draw singles and double finals in both the girls and boys.

Pictured: Fijian ninth seed Tarani Kamoe mops the sweat while her opponent Anais Nussaume, the 16th seeded French women, rehydrates during their girls main draw quarter-finals yesterday. Nussaume took the match 7-6, 4-6, 6-2 to advance to today's semi-finals.

Photo Tetsuro Mitomo