The St Lucia Tennis Association (SLTA) hosted another successful tournament, as curtains came down on the Summer Slam Tennis Tournament 2020 on Saturday, August 15 (day six). Having won the Under 18 singles titles, Joey Angeloni and Iyana Paul were two of the tournament’s outstanding players. Angeloni battled familiar foe Petterson George for the Under 18’s singles title and won. Paul defeated Alysa Elliott in a match that ended after the opening set which she won 6-4.
Under 18 Girls singles title
It was a blistering hot day and Elliott just couldn’t cope with the intense heat. Following a medical time out, she went off the court for treatment and defaulted before the second set got underway. Paul who also won the Under 18 doubles title with partner Jessica Eudovic, did better coping with the conditions and said: “I am use to it and it didn’t affect my play that much. I played extremely well throughout the tournament and improved on some of my weaknesses.”
While some players found it difficult to practice on account of Covid-19, Paul used an outdoor court at a secondary school to work on her game.
Under 18 Boys singles title
In winning the Under 18’s Boys singles title, Angeloni emerged as the only player to win every match. Commenting on the final against George, he said: “At first I was nervous and then after a few games I started to feel a lot better and gained confidence. I took every opportunity to attack the ball and things turned out okay.”
How did Covid-19 affect Angeloni’s preparation for this competition? He told me: “Before the tournament I would go out on a Sunday with my coach Vernon Lewis, hit a few balls and tried gaining some confidence. Before the virus I really did not play that well, so I needed someone to get be back in form.”
When asked about the competition, Angeloni remarked: “I found the playing level at this tournament a bit lower than normal. I guess because of the virus, players did not have the opportunity to practice very much but overall it was a good tournament and I had fun.”
Based on past results, George knew he was up against a formidable foe, having lost his previous four matches to Angeloni. Again, things did not go his way in this match. Evaluating his play George said: “Could have done better but I just wasn’t moving the ball around the way I would like, but thought I served well.”
Angeloni served even better in the match, in fact, George time and time again during an interview referred to his opponents serve as “very troublesome.” Nathaniel Charles should also be commended for winning the Boys 12’s and Under 14’s singles titles. So to should newcomer Jessica Eudovic who came away with two singles titles and one in doubles.
The rankings will definitely change due to unexpected results and major upsets for the top seeds and top ranked players. A new 12 and under girls champion Jaelyn Henry was crowned. She also captured the green ball 10 title.
The final results are as follows. Singles: Red Ball Girls Finalist, Merkisha Justin; Champion, Celia Brathwaite. Red Ball Boys Finalist, Kimari Felix; Champion, Immanuel Charles.
Orange Ball Girls Finalist, Samuella Bertrand; Champion Hannah McNamara. Orange Ball Boys Finalist, Denney Estava; Champion Dante Joseph.
Green Ball Girls Finalist, Amia Jn Marie; Champion Jaelyn Henry. Green Ball Boys Finalist, Mathew George; Champion, Sanjay Lake.
Twelve and Under Girls Finalist, Amara Jn Marie; Champion, Jaelyn Henry. Twelve and Under Boys Finalist, Soren Clairmonte; Champion, Nathanael Charles. Fourteen and Under Girls Finalist, Latoya Murray; Champion, Jessica Eudovic. Fourteen and Under Boys Finalist, Peter Murray; Champion, Nathanael Charles.
Sixteen and Under Girls Finalist, Iyana Paul; Champion, Jessica Eudovic. Sixteen and Under Boys Finalist, Saige Charlemagne; Champion, Petterson George. Eighteen and Under Girls Finalist, Alysa Elliott; Champion Iyana Paul. Eighteen and Under Boys Finalist, Petterson George; Champion, Joey Angeloni.
Doubles: Green Ball Girls Finalists, Samuella Bertrand and Amia Jn Marie; Champions, Jordyn Bishamber and Jaelyn Henry. Green Ball Boys Finalists, Abbazeke Jules and Dante Joseph; Champions Sanjay Lake and Denney Estava.
Twelve and Under Girls Finalists Jaelyn Henry and Shahelaer Jules; Champions Amia Jn Marie and Amara Jn Marie. Twelve and Under Boys Finalists, Soren Clairmonte and Sanjay Lake; Champions Nathanael Charles and Peter Murray. Fourteen and Under Girls Finalists, Amara Jn Marie and Natasha Charles; Champions Latoya Murray and Amelia Rosemond. Sixteen and Under Girls Finalists, Lindy Amedee and Amelia Duval; Champions, Iyana Paul and Jessica Eudovic.
The SLTA expressed special thanks to the St Lucia Olympic Committee Inc for their full financial support towards the tournament and also the St Lucia Red Cross Society, media, officials, coaches, parents and players for all their assistance.
