Leah Smyle had to fight from a set down to land the Girls Under-16 Open crown at the third staging of the two-day Mayberry Investments Limited Open Junior Tennis Championship, which ended at the Liguanea Club on Sunday.

Smyle won the first set 6-2 to Mikhala Stephens, but went on to lose 2-6 in the second. However, she won the tie-breaker 10-7.

Clarendon-based Mikhalia Stephens beat Alex Marzouca 6-0, 6-2 to advance to the match-up with Smyle, who defeated Danielle Grant in the semi-final round.

Smyle was elated with her victory over Stephens, her much smaller opponent, as both have been very competitive throughout the season. ” I just hit the ball over her head and remained focused on my game,” Smyle said.

In the Girls Under-14 category, Julia Thwaites defeated Isabell Chin 6-1, 6-2 to lift the championship title.

On the boys’ side, Daniel Hill was crowned the Under-16 champion defeating Kyle Martin 6-2, 6-2 in the final.

Myles Harrison claimed the top prize in the Under-14s, getting by Damani Cain 6-4, 6-1 in the Championship game.

Other winners on the day were Dimitri Traile in the Under-12s; he defeated Karan Chatani 6-2, 6-1. Meanwhile, Myles Harrison teamed with Karan Chatani to win the boys’ doubles event, beating Damani Cain and Dimitri Traile 4-2.

Anika Smith, Assistant Vice-President for Marketing at Mayberry Investments Limited, said her company was happy to have sponsored the tournament and re-affirmed her company’s commitment to be involved in the competition in the future.

“We are pleased with the results of the tournament and the exposure that it provided for the junior competitors. The mandate of increasing the relevance of the sport has been met and we look forward to our continued support of this initiative,” Smith said.