Cain, Sampson top in Open Junior Tennis Championships
DAMANI Cain and Thande Sampson captured the Boys 18 and under and the Girls Open singles titles, respectively, at the two-day 2019 Mayberry Investments Limited Open Junior Tennis Championships which ended at the Liguanea Club in New Kingston last Sunday.
Cain, seeded at number one in the boys singles category, defeated second-seed Russell Fairman in straight sets 6-2, 7-5. In the semi-finals, Cain brushed past fourth-seeded Jason Duval in straight sets 6-1, 6-0, while Fairman upset second seed Cole McNair 6-2, 5-7, 11-9 in the supper tiebreaker set.
The Girls Open featured only four players and was contested on a round-robin format where Sampson came out victorious by winning all of her three matches to finish first, and Pete Gaye Graham second with two wins and a loss.
Sampson defeated Graham 6-2, 6-3, beat Eva Pinchas 6-0, 6-3, before clinching the title by defeating Imani Christian in straight sets 6-0, 6-0. Graham, in her other two matches before facing Sampson in the decider, beat Pinchas 7-5, 6-2, and Christian 3-6, 6-4, 1-0 (retired).
Top-seed Matthew James won the Boys 14 and under singles title by beating second-seed Danhill Moe in straight sets 6-0, 6-3. In their semi-finals, James beat Joel Villoria 8-4, while Moe eased past Jahmarie Swan 6-3, 6-1.
Meanwhile, Kalila Morris, top seed in the Girls 14 and under, defeated second-seed Gabrielle Christian in straight sets 6-3, 6-2 to capture the title. In her semi-final, Morris beat fourth seed Nyle Barnes 6-2, 6-4, while Christian defeated third-seed Julie Madden 6-4, 6-3.
The Boys 12 and under singles had only four players and was played in a round-robin format. Joseph DePeralto defeated Daniel Gordon 8-5 to win the title. DePeralto other wins were 8-6 over Zeph Umrao, and 8-0 against Jacob Christian. Gordon had defeated Umrao 8-6, and Christian 8-0 before facing DePerato in the deciding match. Christian beat Umrao 8-0 to finish third.
Tournament Director Llockett McGregor said he was very pleased with the support from the players and is happy for the success of the championships where there were some exciting matches.
— Gerald Reid
