Johnson overwhelms Migoko to lift title

Jemaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica's Davis Cup captain, Damar Johnson, yesterday solidified his status as the number-one tennis player in the country when he defeated Yussuf Migoko in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, to capture the Jamaica National-sponsored All-Jamaica Tennis Open at the Police Officers' Club.

Johnson, who in 2006 was ranked number one on the US collegiate tennis circuit, had to dig deep to get the better of Migoko, who at one stage led 2-1 in the first set.

Showing versatility, composure and displaying a variety of shot selection, Johnson was able to level his David Cup teammate at 2-2 before eventually surpassing him and going on to win the set.

Migoko, who earlier this year dropped out at the semi-final stage of the Swept Away Open, then tried his best in the second set to force a third. However, in the end, Johnson's all-round game was just too strong.

Shaky start

"I started out a little bit shaky and had to fight to get a momentum in the first set. However, after levelling at 2-2, I picked it up and eventually closed it out," said Johnson, who hopes to use his success as an inspiration for bigger tournaments.

"It (the win) is more of an inspiration to take my game to another level, which is to try and go out there and make it on the pro circuit level.

"The tournament, in the meanwhile, was very well run with good quality competition and matches ... it is a welcome return to the local tennis calendar," the 25-year-old added.

Migoko, in the meantime, said Johnson played better on the day and deserved to win.

"It was a good, tight match. I had my chances, especially in the first set, but made a few calls get me out and it slipped away from there," he said.

"We are both Davis Cup teammates and we are pretty used to playing against each other, so I am looking forward to us meeting again in the future."

In other results, Class-Two number-two seed, Stephen Shirley, got the better of number-one seed, Gordon Chuck, 6-2, 6-2, while in Class Three, Junior Haldane overcame the challenge of Richard Harris 6-7, 6-3, 6-2.

"He is a good player with a lot of experience and ability, as evidenced by his rank coming into the tournament," said a pleased Shirley, who earlier this year won the Iberostar Open. "But I wanted the win and went out and gave it my best shot and it went my way."