Malaysian tennis tyke Imran is 'driven' to succeed (updated)

The writing on the wall says it all. Malaysian tennis tyke Imran Daniel Abdul Hazli showing off his World Junior Masters Under-10 and Under-11 trophies after winning both events in Turkey.

PETALING JAYA: A tireless Imran Daniel Abdul Hazli made the nation proud by claiming two singles titles at the World Junior Masters tournament in Turkey on Sunday.

And his 'secret to success' ... is a remote control car!

“Imran wanted a drift remote control car for winning the tournament. That kept him motivated," said Abdul Hazli Zainuddin, the boy's proud father and coach.

The Kuala Lumpur lad certainly played his heart out to get his present. He survived a marathon roller coaster final to beat top seed Dan Vasile Duta of Romania 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (7-4) for the boys' singles Under-11 title. The Malaysian had earlier won the Under-10 category with relative ease.

Imran, playing on a wildcard entry for the Under-11 category, got his campaign going with a first round 6-2, 6-1 win over Tunisian Youssef Labbene. He defeated Swiss fourth seed Kilian Feldbausch 6-2, 6-1 in the quarter-finals on Friday.

In the semi-finals on Saturday, Imran overcame second seed American Vasyl Yazadchiev 6-3, 2-6, 6-1.

Imran had little trouble lifting the boys' Under-10 title earlier on the same day, crushing Dutch player Manvydas Balciunas 6-0, 6-0 in the final.

In the Under-10 group stage, Imran beat Tunisia’s Karim Fendri 6-0, 6-1, Scotland’s Hector Edmund Fullone 6-0, 6-0 and Latvia’s Maksims Kazancevs 6-0, 6-0 to reach the semi-finals as Group A winner.

Then in the last four on Saturday, Imran used his booming forehands to beat Omar Knani of Tunisia 6-3, 6-2.

Imran had also emerged champion at the clay-court Base 11 and under Stars of Tomorrow tennis tournament in Germany on Aug 30.

“Now, he has to work harder. Being a junior champion does not guarantee success at the senior level,” said Hazli, Malaysia’s former No. 2.

Imran has also been set a bold target: To earn his first ranking point in the ATP Tour by the time he turns 15.  

“I hope to play more often. I want to play in the Grand Slam Junior events in the future,” said Imran.

Perhaps then, he can get more than just a toy car as a present.