IT’S the final day of competition today (Thursday 15th August 2019) in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and the Confederation of Tennis of Central America and the Caribbean (COTECC) Under 12 and Under 14 Development Tennis Tournament being held at the National Tennis Centre (NTC) in Beausejour, Gros Islet.
The tournament is sponsored by Sagicor in collaboration with the Saint Lucia Tennis Association.
So far with one rain interruption (Sunday 11th) conditions have been superb throughout, but according to the local Meteorological Office, a few showers are expected by mid-morning, with conditions expected to improve as the day goes along.
By all indications, the final day of competition will be exciting based on the remaining matches on the cards.
Meanwhile, it was tough going for Saint Lucia’s Boys and Girls on Day 4 at the NTC on Tuesday 13th August.
Sibley Charles (Antigua and Barbuda) continued her good run on form to triumph over Saint Lucia’s Iyana Paul 6-0, 6-2 on court three.
On Court 2, Aysha Hosam (Antigua and Barbuda) got the better of Latoya Murray (Saint Lucia) 6-3, 6-0.
The highlight of the mid-morning showpiece took place on Court No.1 between the tournament No.1 ranked female player Rasario Elmudesi (Dominica Republic) and Cameron Wong (Trinidad and Tobago). Elmudesi took the first set 4-6. Wong came back strong to win the second set 7-5 with a series of rallies and some powerful spanking shots down the line.
With all to play for and a semifinal spot up for grabs, the parents of both players were sitting alongside each other cheering the two young ladies on centre court Despite the scorching heat at the NTC, the two players went at each other, but in the end Elmudesi surrendered 6 – 2 to Wong in the third set.
Wong was scheduled to play Brasha Dyer (Antigua and Barbuda) in one of the semifinal match ups.
In other matches played, Court 1, Luca Shamsi (Trinidad and Tobago) defeated Arden Rose (Saint Lucia) in straight sets 6-1, 6-1.
Court No. 2, Gabriel Porras (Guatemala) defeated Antonio Warner (Bermuda) 6-0, 6-1, Brasha Dyer (Antigua and Barbuda) made light work of Jordane Dookie (Trinidad and Tobago) 6-0, 6-2.
Court No. 3, Xavier Peter Gooding (Barbados) lost to Mackai Whitter (Bermuda) in three sets, 6-1, 4-6, 6-2.
Court No. 4, Rafael Botran (Guatemala) came from one set down to defeat Antonio Chavez (Honduras) 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Playing on Court No. 5, Isalah Boxill (Trinidad and Tobago) had an easy win over Mc Carvv Cyril (Saint Lucia) 4-0, 41; Imara Chin Lee (Trinidad and Tobago) breezed past Amara Jn Pierre (Saint Lucia) 4-0, 4-0; Eva Pasea (Trinidad and Tobago) beat Yasmine Sandy (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) 4-2, 4-1; and Alexander Merrv (Trinidad and Tobago) won 4-0, 4-0 over Zachary Mc Lawerence (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines).
Court No. 6, Anaello Moraan (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) defeated Luca Small (Trinidad and Tobago) 1-4, 4-1 (10-8 tie break), Afe Lucas (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) had a 4-2, 4-0 win over Anaiah Francis (Antigua and Barbuda), while Jolie George (Antigua and Barbuda) made light work with Hannah Archibald (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) 4-0, 4-0.
