Azar cops two titles at PanCarib event
THIRD-SEEDED John Azar registered a crushing 10-0 win over top seeded Damani Cain in the Boys 10 and under singles final at the Pan Caribbean Bank All-Jamaica Junior Tennis Championships at the Eric Bell Tennis Centre on Sunday.
Azar was the only player in the tournament who won two singles titles, despite a number of players — Roger Lyn, William Berry, Shaeda Nickle and Jeanne Harrision — contesting two age-groups finals.
The 10-year-old Azar, who attends school in Florida, USA, won all four matches without conceding a point. He received a bye into the second round where he blanked Joseph Richards, 6-0, in the quarter-final.
Azar played second-seeded Richard Barnett in the semi-final and crushed him, 8-0, before blowing away top seed Cain in the final.
The Florida-based Azar, after being given a 45-minute rest to play in the Boys 12 and under singles final, faced the unseeded Ruben Pinchas and endured a hard-fought second set after winning the first, 6-0.
The scores were locked at 5-5 before Azar won the next two games to clinch the match and his second title.
Azar is expected to leave the island this week to participate in three tournaments in Florida.
Meanwhile, in the Girls 10 singles final, top-seeded Mekalia Stephens defeated second-seeded Jeanna Harrison, 10-2.
The unseeded Emmanuelle Mottley came from a set down to beat second-seeded Harrison in the Girls 12 singles final, 3-6, 7-5, on a super tie-breaker (10-7) to clinch the match and title.
In the Boys 14 and under doubles final, Roger Lyn and Kyle Martin defeated Myles Harrison and Daniel Hill, 10-1, while in the Girls 14 equivalent, Llana Blackwood and Stephanie Davis defeated Petagaye Graham and Jeanna Harrison, 10-2.
Meanwhile, the Boys 18 and under doubles final was won by the pair of top seed William Berry and James Cruze, who defeated the second seeded pair of Roshane Henry and Nicholas Malcolm, 6-4.
In the interest of time and the fading light, the players and the tournament director decided to play only one set for the final.
No decision has been make on the Girls 18 and under doubles final between the top pair of Shadae Findley and Phadria Kepple and the pair of Maya Ricketts and Rhea Thompson, as this match is yet to be played.
The Jamaican players will now look forward to the annual International Tennis Federation (ITF) Jamaica Junior Invitational qualifying round in the Boys and Girls 18.