Andrew Bicknell wins U-14 tennis title
JAMAICA’S Andrew Bicknell defeated his compatriot James Cruze 6-1, 6-3 to capture the Boys’ 14 and under singles title at the 2011 International Tennis Federation (ITF) Jamaica Junior Tournament at the Eric Bell Tennis Centre, Picadilly Road, yesterday.
It was the first time the 13-year-old former Campion College student was winning this title and has done so on his third attempt. Last year, Bicknell was beaten in the semi-finals.
Bicknell did not take very long before he began overpowering his opponent with forearm passing shots, which Cruze found difficult to cope with.
Both players played mainly at the baseline with Bicknell taking a 2-1 lead. Bicknell won the next two games to move to a 4-1 lead. Cruze never looked like putting up a real challenge and easily lost the next two games for Bicknell to win the first set 6-1.
In the second set, Cruze played much better as he traded shots and rallies with Bicknell, who led 2-1. Cruze won the next game to level at 2-2 and then broke Bicknell to take a 3-2 lead.
Bicknell won his serve to win the sixth game to level at 3-3 and then was all over for his opponent who continued to make a number of errors, as the young Bicknell went up 4-3. Bicknell won his serve in the next game to move to 5-3 and then broke Cruze to clinch the set 6-3 and the match.
The Miami-based Bicknell, who is attending Palmer Trinity School since January of this year, said he was pleased with his performance.
“In the first set, I was a little bit nervous but after overcoming it, I began to step up my game and played some find shots,” Bicknell said.
Meanwhile, Cruze said it was a very challenging match as “I was overhitting… “Bicknell was playing off my power and just putting his racquet in place and got his shots,” he said.
The Girls’ 14 and under singles was won by top seed Asmara Nickle of the United States (USA), who defeated second seed Llana Blackwood of Jamaica easily in straight sets 6-1, 6-1.
Both the Boys’ and Girls’ 18 and under singles finals are scheduled to start this morning at 9:30 am to be followed by the Boys’ and Girls’ 18 and under doubles final.
