Some 150 players from the USA, Canada, the Caribbean, and Europe are down to compete for valuable international points that will go towards the world rankings as they get set to compete in the 876 Water- and Hi-lyte-sponsored ITF/COTECC Junior International Tournament which serves off on Saturday and ends on July 14, 2018.

The tournament will be simultaneously executed at two venues — the Eric Bell Tennis Centre/Tennis Jamaica headquarters for the boys and girls Under-18 and the Liguanea Club, New Kingston, for the boys and girls Under-14 competitions.

“We are delighted to once again host these all-important tournaments as it gives our local players an opportunity to face tougher competition and a grand opportunity to earn international points on their home soil. We are expecting high-quality tennis all week and encourage all tennis lovers to come out and support the event,” said Aswad Morgan, president of Tennis Jamaica.

The boys and girls singles qualifying will be from July 7-8 followed by the main draw matches. Boys and girls doubles are scheduled to begin on July 10.

Top seed for the boys’ Under-18 will be Blaise Bicknell, playing under the US flag on his home turf. Blaise, the defending champion, is currently ranked 201 in the world and returns from Europe where he has been playing high- level tournaments on red clay and just recently lost in three close sets to the world #108-ranked junior at a tournament in Ukraine. According to Bicknell, “I want to win in my home country.”

Top Jamaican players Nicholas Gore, John Chin and Damani Cain are also down to compete.

The girls’ number one seed will be American Hina Inque with a world ranking of 257. She will be challenged by Jamaican girls Michaela Stephens and Jenna Harrison.

The Under-14 COTECC event will feature Emmanues Nunoz of the Dominican Republic and top Jamaicans Keyondre Clarke and Delano Reeves. Girls’ number one seed will be Abigail Perue of Jamaica.

Tournament Director David Sanguinetti stated, “Tennis Jamaica has been working tirelessly to ensure another successful hosting of the ITF level 4 & COTECC Level 2 event. The officials are in place, the venues are in pristine condition, and we are hopeful that the Jamaican players will shine on the big stage.

“All tennis-loving fans should come out and enjoy this top-class Junior International event. “