Tough battles and flight problems see out 2013 ITF opening day of qualifying action SATURDAY AUGUST 17, 2013; NATIONAL TENNIS CENTRE, ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES – Henrique Freitas Salles of Brazil was forced into a third set in his Boys 18 qualifying match, after winning the first 6-4. His opponent Paul Oliver of the British Virgin Islands, then took the second 7-5, and then he imploded to hand his Brazillian counterpart the third and decisive set 6-4. In other Boys 18s matches, Gui Gomez of the USA stopped Mathew Foster-Estwick of Barbados 6-3 6-4, while the ongoing issues with LIAT flight problems, gave Andrew Symmonds of Barbados victory via the walk-over route over Sean Hadju of Canada who according to reports, was stuck in Barbados awaiting a flight. In the day’s final Boys’ 18s, N. Mohammad of Trinidad and Tobago defeated Jacob Bicknell of Jamaica 6-2 4-6 7-6(1), to cap a day full of action. The Under-14s had its share of drama as LIAT’s inability to sort out his passenger requests, resulted in four matches in that category being decided via the walkover decision. Justin Marcano of Antigua walked over Mickel Alexander of Grenada, Jonelle Anderson of Antigua over Gabrielle Benn of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Kamara Williams of St. Vincent and the Grenadines over compatriot Alexi Humprey, and Joshau Arnold of Trinidad and Tobago over Miguel Francis of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. These players were seeking to get back into St. Vincent and the Grenadines in time after participating in the 2013 Coca-Cola ITF Junior Tennis Tournament in Saint Lucia. However, according to Tournament Referee Anthony Jameson, the Under-14s is a Round Robin tournament, so those players if they are in St. Vincent and the Grenadines come Sunday morning, will be able to compete. The other Under-14s matches played in the afternoon saw Jamaali Homer of Guyana beating Ramona Tomlinson of Antigua 4-0 4-1, Adreil Bousquet of Saint Lucia defeated Keshon Reece of Guyana 4-1 4-0, and Ukpioronfo Ikolo of Grenada also defeated Daniel Angus of Trinidad and Tobago 4-0 4-0. Tomorrow Sunday will see the continuation of the Under-14s and the completion of the Boys 18s Singles Qualifying Round. (Robertson S. Henry/robertsons.henry@gmail)
Posted on: Tue, 20 Aug 2013 10:08:56 +0000