JAMAICA’S John Chin finished second in the Boys’ Under-14 singles at the 2017 Confederation of Tennis of Central America and the Caribbean (COTECC) played in the Dominican Republic last month.

The tournament, named as ‘JITIC’, is also one of the most important events on the combined Central American and Caribbean junior tennis calendar, to which the top young players from 33 countries are eligible to participate.

Chin was beaten by the top player Alejandro Gandini from the Dominican Republic in the final in straight sets 6-2, 6-2. Chin, who was ranked number 10 and seeded fifth in the main draw, showed his form to reach the final by staving off tough opponents from Puerto Rico, Guatemala and Haiti.

The Jamaican also competed in the Boys’ Under-16 singles event the previous week in July, and made his way into the main draw by surviving from the qualifying round.

However, in the first round of the main draw Chin was beaten by the number one seed Carlos Solares of Guatemala in the-breaker 7-5 7-6 (7-2 tie-breaker set). He was also the youngest male player among the Under-16 players and finished in 10th position out of 33, and so earned a special ranking in the category.

He paired with another Jamaican, Keyondre Clarke, in the Boys’ Under-14 doubles final where they won their first -round match against the top Honduras pair of Alessandro Bissari and Miguel Lopez, 6-1, 7-5.

The Jamaican pair was forced to retire in mid-match during their second-round action due to an injury sustained by Clarke.

Chin in the Under-16 boys’ doubles teamed with fellow Caribbean player Kyle Griffith of Barbados, but their stay was short-lived as they were eliminated in the first round by Alexson Hessels of Aruba and Gabriel Castellanos of the Dominican Republic in straight sets, 6-0, 6-4.

Llockett McGregor, who travelled with both Chin and Clarke as their official coach during the tournament, said he was pleased with the results of both Jamaicans in the singles and doubles.

“Both boys played very hard, and their performances were very good along with their sportsmanship during the tournament,” McGregor added.

Chin said he was satisfied with his performance. “Last year, I finished 15th in the Under-14 singles, so I am happy to have made it to the finals this year.”

He said he plans on continuing training with his coach, Ryan Russell of the Russell Tennis Academy, and hopes to participate in more high-level international tournaments this year.

The Jamaican will be in action again locally in the upcoming Tennis Jamaica-sanctioned Guardian Life Open Junior Tennis Championships to be held this month at the Liguanea Club in New Kingston.