Ten-year-old Alyssa James stole the spotlight at the 2018 Serge All-Jamaica Junior Tennis Championships, with outstanding performances last Sunday at the Tennis Jamaica headquarters, Eric Bell Tennis Centre.

Her dominant performances against older opponents seemed to have overshadowed both Damani Cain, who won three titles, and Michaela Stephens, winner of two titles.

In the All-Jamaica Junior Tennis Championships, which concluded last Sunday, James, seeded at number two in the girls’ 14 singles, captured the title when she defeated top seed Katherine Dibbs in straight sets 7-5, 6-2.

She played in the bigger age group, the girls’ 18s singles, where she was beaten in the semi-finals by top seed Stephens in straight sets.

But before her defeat to Stephens, James had defeated two players who are much older than her. First, she defeated Katherine Dibbs in straight sets 6-3, 6-4 in the first round to advance to the second round.

James then knocked out Moesha Fox in the second round, also in straight sets 6-1, 7-6 (8-6 tiebreaker), before losing to the eventual winner, Stephens.

With James playing so well throughout the championships, she partnered with Katherine Dibbs and reached the girls’ 18s doubles final, but lost to the top-seeded pair of Stephens and Jenna Harrison in straight sets 6-2, 6-2.

James admitted that she had belief in her ability to do well. “You have to believe in yourself and play to win.

“Playing in the girls’ 18s was very tough, but I was a bit nervous at the start, but I kept my composure. However, I try to hold my head and try to make less unforced errors during my matches,” James said.

The potential star said she felt happy defeating girls older and taller than her, as she trains very hard under the guidance of Damion Johnson and Tinesta Rowe, two top Jamaican players.

For the future, James said she would like to play in the two biggest junior tournaments on the circuit — Orange Bowl and Eddie Herr Junior Tennis Tournaments that are played in Florida for Under-18 boys and girls.

The determined youngster who has won the Little Moo Tennis Tournament back to back and also the Under-12 girls’ singles in Florida, will be looking towards playing in the prestigious junior grand slam tournaments such as the US Open, Wimbledon, and the French Open in the future.