Joey Angeloni continued his dominance of men’s open tennis on the local circuit by overwhelming Arden Rosemond to win his second men’s title and bringing the curtains down on the Saint Lucia Tennis Association annual Christmas Tennis Classic (CTC) on Wednesday 22nd December. The Championship took place at the National Tennis Centre in Beausejour, Gros Islet.
The 18-year old Angeloni ranked No.1 won in straight sets 6-1, 6-1 in a time of 1 hour 20 minutes of action on Court No.1.
Angeloni lost to Aaron Gerald 7-6, 4-6, 6-3 on the opening day (Saturday 18th), in a match which lasted 4 hours 10 minutes, however he came back strong the following day to defeat Mirajkhar Tushar in straight sets 6-0, 6-0.
In the quarterfinals he defeated Aaron Gerald 6-2, 6-1, while in the semifinals he beat Petterson George 6-3, 6-4.
Angeloni and Rosemond last played each other in 2020 when the SLTA hosted the Easter Classic in which Rosemond emerged as champion.
For the CTC final on Wednesday, Rosemond was tipped to push Angeloni and win his second major title after Arron Gerald and Petterson George failed to advance to the final.
With a shoulder injury which he sustained on Saturday, Rosemond reached the CTC final with a win over Thaddeus Emile in straight sets 6-1, 6-1 on Sunday. Noted he lost to Petterson George 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 on the opening day (Saturday).
In the Quarterfinals he breezed past Ricardo Francois 6-0, 6-4 and made light work of his father, Randolph Rosemond 6-1, 6-1.
Following the match this reporter spoke to Joey Angeloni about the final against Rosemond. This is what he had to say.
“I told myself I have to play how I know I can play and try to play aggressively as I could have and all my shots went in my favour,” Angeloni said, adding that he stayed on top in the match so as not to make many errors just to keep the pressure on Arden.
(Photo: Anthony De Beauville)
“I tried to stay calm when he had the upper hand. Overall I am happy with the way things went especially when I changed to a brand new racket,” Angeloni said.
Angeloni spoke highly of Gerald who defeated him in the group stage of the CTC Championship saying that Gerald is a great player and a good friend of his.
“He beat me earlier in the championship; he is starting to find his game. I have teamed up with him to play the Men’s Doubles finals.”
Losing finalist Rosemond, a young man of few words, said he did not focus enough and that let the pressure get to him thus allowing him to have too many unforced errors.
In other championship wins: Men’s doubles final,Joey Angeloni and Aaron Gerald defeated Ajunie Scott and Petterson George 6-2, 6-0.
Girls Under 15, 1st place Iyana Paul defeated Latoya Murray 6-3, 6-2; 3rd place Jaelyn Henry won in a tie breaker (10-3) over Amara Jn Marie, set scores 0-4, 4-1.
Boys Under 15 final, 1st place Jonas Sylvester defeated Mc Carvy Cyril 7-6, 6-2; 3rd place Alhil Cyril defeated Anselm Mathurin 4-0, 4-0.
Boys Green Ball final, 1st place Denney Estava defeated Sanjay Lake in a tie breaker (8- 6), set scores 0-4, 4-4; 3rd place.
Girls Green Ball final, 1st place Kahenya Mukora defeated Kurlissa Charles in two tie breakers (7-2 /13-11), set scores 4-4, 4-4.
Girls Under 15 Doubles, Jaelyn Henry and Iyana Paul defeated (sisters) Amara and Amir Jn Marie 6 – 2, 6 – 2.
Boys Under 11 Doubles, Sanjay Lake and Denney Estava defeated (brothers) Armani and Aiden Rosemond 4-2, 4-0.
