Favourites kick Downey Classic into high gear

DWAYNE PAGON and David Goldsmith were among the victors as the inaugural Downey Tennis Classic continued at the Tryall Sports Club in Hanover yesterday.

Yesterday’s second day saw Pagon defeat Mackaiba Thomas in straight sets 6-2, 6-1 in the men’s open category, while Goldsmith got the better of Jason Duval 6-4, 6-2.

Still in the open category, Stefan Rumble defeated Troy Gichi, 4-6, 6-3, 10-7, while there were also wins for Davian Burrell, who beat Jonathan March 6-1, 6-0, Kyle Forrester, who bested Jamar Parkinson 6-3,7-6, Macoy Malcolm, who outlasted Kahj Clarke 6-3, 6-0, and Jeremy Miller, who defeated Kristoff Grizzle 6-1, 6-0.

In the class two men, Andre Spence defeated Bruce Hart 6-3,6-3, while Michael Sutherland got the better of Linley Graham 6-2 6-0.

Ricardo Clarke bested Matthew Holness 6-1, 6-2 in the Class Three category, while Dean Palmer defeated Howard Ward 6-1, 6-3 to put himself in the running for the title.

The ladies amateur open category saw Lucille Hayles defeat Nancy Pinchas 6-2 6-2, while Rasheda Blake outlasted Simone Foster 6-4,6-4. Latoya Facey defeated Marsha Thomas 6-0,3-6, 10-7.

The tournament concludes today as Pagon, Burrell, Forrester and Goldsmith will battle for the men’s open crown and the $100,000 cash prize.

Among the other finals, the ladies amateur title will also be decided as well as the mixed doubles crown.