DANIEL Hill and Haley McNair captured the boys’ and girls’ 18 and under and 16 and under singles titles, respectively, at the 2016 Mayberry Investments Limited Open Junior Tennis Singles Championships which ended at the Liguanea Club in New Kingston recently.

Hill, the top seed in the 18 and under boys’ singles, crushed top seed Gregory Spencer in straight sets to win the title. In his semi-final played on the same day, Hill brushed aside unseeded Romeo Edwards in straight sets 6-2, 6-2, while Spencer came from a set down before eliminating Aman Chatani 5-7, 6-3, 10-7.

Meanwhile, McNair, the top seed in the 16 and under for girls, defeated second-seeded Kailey Chin in straight sets 6-1, 6-3 for the crown. McNair had knocked out fourth-seeded Kobi Walcott 6-0, 6-4, while Chin beat unseeded Aliyah Forsythe in their respective semi-finals.

Hill said he was very happy for the win, his third consecutive in the 18 and under boys’ singles title in this championship.

“I was very confident of coming out victorious, as I have played Spencer more than once and have beaten him. He played some good shots in the games which were very close, as I continued to keep focus throughout the match,” said 17-year-old Hill.

“I also had to dig really deep despite coming into the final with a little nervousness as we traded breaks and long rallies. I did not want to give away easy points, that is why I began to focus more during the match,” Hill said.

McNair said after her victory that she was very confident of winning.

“Chin played well, especially in the second set where she gave me some challenge, but I just played my shots well to clinch the match easily,” McNair said.

The 16 and under boys’ final was won by second seed Ryan Cox, who defeated fourth-seeded Gerry Hunter in straight sets 6-4, 6-0. Cox had won his semi-final by beating third seed Mario Campbell 6-4, 1-6 10-4, while Hunter knocked out unseeded Tyrese Grant in straight sets 6-4, 6-1.

Top seed Cole McNair registered an easy 6-2, 6-2 win over second seeded Joshua Graveney to capture the 14 and under boys’ singles title. In semi-final action, McNair crushed fourth seed Alexander Chin 8-0, while Graveney beat third-seeded Ryan Muir 8-5.

Moesha Fox, seeded at number one, defeated second seed, eight-year-old Alyssa James in a fighting three –setter 6-7 (10-8 tie-breaker), 7-5, 11-9 (super-breaker) to win the 14 and under girls’ final. James had four match points in the super tie-breaker 10-4 but failed to take advantage to win. James is currently the number one player in the 12 and under girls.

In their respective semi-final on Sunday, Fox got past fourth-seeded Savannah Thompson 8-7, while James defeated third-seeded Katherine Dibbs 8-4.

Unseeded Nathan Chin came from a set down to defeat top seed Jordan Vazina 1-6, 6-4, 10-7 (super tie-breaker). Chin beat unseeded Arjan Trehan 8-5, while Vaz held off fourth seed Jason Duval 8-7 in semi-finals action. Chin had knocked out second-seeded Matthew James 8-6 in his second round match.

Meanwhile, Anika Jengelley, who presented the winners and runners-up with their trophies, said she was very pleased with the turnout of the players at the championships.

“I congratulated the winners and also the players who participated in the staging of the championships, along with the parents, who turned out to watch and support their children,”Jengelley said.

She said the championships were well-organised and witnessed some exciting and excellent finals, and thanked everyone who played their part to make it a big success.