ANDRES Paredes of Venezuela and Madrie La Roux of South Africa were both crowned champions when they captured the Boys and Girls 18 and under singles titles, respectively, at the 2012 International Tennis Federation (ITF) Jamaica Junior Tournament that ended at the Eric Bell Tennis Centre in Kingston yesterday.

Unseeded Paredes continued his giant-killing performance when he defeated the number one seed Farzin Amiri of the United States of America (USA) in straight sets, 6-1, 7-6 (7-5 tie-breaker) in one-hour, 45 minutes in the Boys 18 and under singles final.

It was also the fourth seeded player he has beaten in this tournament, including the number one and two seeds.

Meanwhile, in the Girls 18 and under singles final, top-seeded La Roux had to come from a set down to defeat Ellie Halbauer of the USA in three sets, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 in a match lasting two hours and 27 minutes.

Paredes said he felt very good and was pleased with his performance throughout the tournament.

"It was a very tough match, but I did what I had to do which was to fight and keep focussed," the Venezuelan said.

Meanwhile, Le Roux after her three-set win said it was a good match. "I played extremely well in the first set but Halbauer went to win, so I had to work really hard in the second set , was up 4-3 but she even at 4-4."

Halbauer held serve in the eight game to level at 4-4 before Le Roux won the deuce in the ninth to take a 5-4 lead and then break her opponent to win 6-4 and even the match at 1-1.

The South African said things were not looking too good in the third and final set as she trailed 0-3. However, with determination, she fought back well to level at 3-3, then take the lead 4-3, before winning the other two games to clinch the match and the singles title.