PETER Alam has been tipped as a possible star of the future after impressing during two recent international tournaments in Merseyside.

The 14-year-old tennis player, who trains at the academy at USN Bolton Arena, made it to the final of the Tennis Europe 14 and Under Championships, which were held at Bidston Tennis Centre on the Wirral.

His performance in finishing runner-up, losing 6-3, 6-7, 6-2 to French player Flavine Blugnone in the final, earned the highly-rated teenager a wildcard into the Nike Junior International U18s Championships, held at the same venue the following week.

Bowdon-born Alam seized his chance to earn valuable experience at a grade five ITF (International Tennis Federation) event, upsetting the odds to win his first-round match 6-4, 7-6 against Poland's Filip Kolasinski.

He also took a set off up-and-coming Brit George Hutchings in the second round before eventually losing 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 to the 16-year-old.

Tournament organiser Anders Borg, of Northern Vision, was impressed by Alam's performances.

“These are hugely important events for the up-and-coming players in the North West and it was great to see Peter making it all the way to the finals of the under-14s tournament," he said.

"But for a player of his age to then go on and beat someone at an under-18s championships is quite unusual and a huge accomplishment.

"Peter is already the second-highest ranked 14-year-old in this country, but his display at these championships is a big step up for him.

"He has earned his first international ranking points at under-18s level.

"The points you earn at a grade five ITF event like this one count towards qualification for the grand slams, like Junior Wimbledon, so he is on his way.

"He will be playing more ITF competitions in the future with the goal of getting into the top 100 in the world.

"There is no doubt he has a very bright future in the game."

The Tennis Europe and Nike Junior International Championships are part of the largest junior circuit in the world, with more than 600 players from 60 different nations competing this year.