While St Lucia’s more experienced players stumbled at this year 28th edition of the ITF Coca-Cola Junior International Tennis Tournament especially in the main draw, players in the lower age groups gave a very good account of themselves winning two singles titles.
St Lucia came away with titles in the Under-12 and Under-10 Boys divisions during play on Wednesday at the National Tennis Centre at Beausejour.
In the 12 and Under- Division, Jean Phillip Murray (St Lucia) defeated Cordell Williams of Antigua. Despite losing the first set 3-5, Murray came back and won the second and third in impressive fashion 4-0, 4-0.
In what many are calling the match of the tournament, two St Lucian mighty mites Jordan Hunte and Nicholas St John, staged a see-saw battle in the 10 and Under Division. In this contest the first player to win nine games would be declared the winner. It went to a tie breaker after both players won eight games.
Hunte was the aggressor throughout the match, chasing down every ball that came
his way even diving to make spectacular returns. St John hit several well placed shots and ran his opponent ragged for most of the match, in an attempt to tire him out. It didn’t work.
The tie breaker was a nail biter. Hunte won the first two points but then St John came back and at one stage led 4-2. St John had the first match point but was unable to seal the deal. Hunte eventually went on to win the tie break (9-7) to emerge winner of the match 9-8.
Judging by what we saw on Wednesday, in years to come it will be interesting to see how these two players develop.
Friday was “D” Day at the National Tennis Centre with the finals being played in doubles and singles matches.
In the Girls Singles Main draw Under-18, number one seed Simone Pratt (Bahamas), went up against Sara Ottomano (Switzerland). Ottomano won the opening set 6-3; however it was a reversal of form in the second with Pratt coming out on top 6-1. Ottomano totally dominated the final set 6-0 to capture the Girls Singles title.
The Boys Under-18 Main Draw final was an all United States clash between number two seed Daniel Khanin and number five seed Carter Lin. Lin came away with the title with a score of 6-2, 7-5.
More final results of the 28th Edition of the ITF Coca-Cola Junior International Tennis Tournament will be published in Wednesday’s Star newspaper.
