What should have been the Inaugural Jounen Kweyol Tennis Tournament in 2020, served off over the weekend at the St Lucia National Tennis Centre at Beausejour. The Tournament sponsored by The Oliver Gobat Sports Fund (TOGS), is one of the many events hosted by the foundation to support the development of sports in Saint Lucia. TOGS have given tremendous support to tennis, swimming, cricket, football and track and field just to name a few.
Commenting on the competition Tournament Director, Scyla Murray could not be happier with the way things have gone so far. Following matches on Sunday, she told me: “I am surprised. To be honest, I was not expecting a lot of persons to enter and they did. Those who didn’t, I guess they are trying to be extra careful on account of the virus. The event so far has been good and results are not surprising during round robin play.
It’s still early but Joey Angeloni (men’s open) and Alysa Elliott (women’s open) are among the top players who lived up to expectations having gone undefeated so far. Following his singles match on Sunday against Brandon Eugene which he won 6-0, 6-1, Angeloni said: “It was a slow start and slow finish. I probably could have played better. It was my first match in a while.”
If he was rusty it didn’t show, having dominated the match. When asked whether he was confident of winning this tournament Angeloni replied without hesitation. “I am pretty sure I can win but there are three guys I am keeping my eyes on – Arden Rosemond, Nicholas St John and Petterson George.”
The tournament caters for all levels beginning with the juniors Under 10 which got underway on Saturday. Following are the results of matches in the green ball category: Sanjay Lake got past Jordyn Bishamber 6-2. Andretti George defeated Reggie Weeks by the same score. He also went on to defeat Azari Francois 6-0. Denney Estava got the better of Aidan Rosemond 6-3 and later defeated Makkedah Charles 6-1.
The green ball division played their second round of matches where Azari Francois went head to head with Samuella Bertrand getting the best of Bertrand 6-3. Aidan Rosemond went on to defeat Immanuel Charles 6-2.
In the under 14s category, Iyana Paul took on Amia Jn Marie on centre court dismissing her in straight sets 4-1, 4-0. In the other Under 14 matches Amara Jn Marie defeated Latoya Murray 4-2, 5-4. She later on went on to defeat Rene Morgan 4-0, 4-1. Natasha Charles triumphed over Rene Morgan 4-0, 4-2. In the boy’s category, Nathanael Charles dismissed Xhan Riviere 4-0, 4-1. Sanjay Lake later took on Riviere who lost in three sets 4-2, 2-4, 10-8.
The local giants had their turn Sunday afternoon. In the first match former champion of the Independence Tennis Tournament Joey Angeloni dismissed S Patra 6-0, 6-0 with only five points going to Patra. Angeloni also went on to defeat Brandon Eugene in straight sets 6-0 6-1. Angeloni breezed to the main draw where the top performers from the four groups will compete for the championship.
In the other round robin groups, Petterson George defeated Nicholas St John in 6-2, 6-1 and then went on to defeat Reep Bishamber 6-0, 6-1. St John also defeated Bishamber in straight sets 6-2, 6-3. St John and George advanced to the main draw.
In group three, Arden Rosemond secured his spot at the top of the table, defeating the top seed in the men’s draw Ricardo Francois 6-3, 7-5. He then went on to win a close one over Thaddeus Emile 6-4, 7-5. Rosemond and Francois advanced to the main draw.
In Group four, Mirajkhar Tushar got past Randolph Rosemond in straight sets. He then went on to defeat Gregory Cooper 6-2, 6-2. For sure Tushar has secured a main draw spot, but his position in the group however will be decided when he plays Ajaunie Scott who is the other main draw player in this group. Scott got past Gregory Cooper in straight sets 6-1, 6-0, and then defeated Randolph Rosemond in straight sets.
The ladies draw is also very competitive with the former champion of the National Independence Tournament Alysa Elliott, defeating Jorja Mederick 6-4, 6-4. Elliott also went on to defeat Diana Stanislas 6-1, 6-0. She will be playing Latoya Murray to decide her position in the group. Based on her stats, she has secured her main draw spot. Jorja Mederick played Latoya Murray defeating her 6-3, 6-0.
In group two, Scyla Murray got the best of Amelia Rosemond 6-0, 6-3. She then went on to defeat Lesha Emile in 6-3, 6-3. Emile got back on track in her next match with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Iyana Paul.
The tournament is temporarily on hold, due to increased protocols announced to curtail the transmission of COVID-19.
