Local U-14s doing well at ITF tourney

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica is poised to emerge from the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Jamaica Junior Tournament, which is being staged locally, with the girls' Under-14 singles title after Shaeda Nickle and Ilana Blackwood booked their places in the final with victories on yesterday's third day.

Nickle made light work of number one seed Asmaraa Saluke of the United States of America (USA), stopping her in straight sets 6-1, 6-2. Blackwood engaged in a more keenly contested match, but managed to triumph 7-5, 6-3 over Trinidad and Tobago's Stefanie Tom.

In the boys' Under-14 category ,two Jamaicans have made it through to tomorrow's semi-final. André Bicknell stopped Tjimon Louisy of St Lucia 6-1, 6-1 to set up a meeting with Costa Rica's Gabriel Barrientos Carboni. Carboni triumphed 6-2, 4-6, 6-1 over Andrew Simons of Barbados.

James Cruce is the other Jamaican to have advanced to the Under-14 semi-final following an epic victory over Costa Rica's Daniel Herman Gonzalez. Cruce outlasted Gonzalez 7-5, 7-6 (5).

Cruce's semi-final opponent will be Dyllan Hall of Barbados following his 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-2 win over Jamaica's Jacob Bicknel.

Jamaica's final hope in the Under-18 section, Oshane Trail, was sent crashing out of the competition, as he went down in straight sets to William Albanese of the USA, 6-0, 6-1.

Despite the tournament being played locally, his elimination follows on the heels of a number of Jamaican Under-18 players who failed to advance to the second round after suffering defeats on Monday's second day.

Among those eliminated was Daniel Harris, who only recently crowned himself All-Jamaica Junior triple champion. Harris was beaten by top seed Richard Del Nunzio of the USA in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3, to advance.

Nunzio followed up his first round win with victory yesterday over Mexico's José Andres Illescas Maury, 6-1, 6-2.

Jamaica's top junior female player, Shantal Blackwood, who is the reigning All-Jamaica 18 and under singles champion, was also sent packing on Monday's second day. She went down in straight sets to Trinidad and Tobago's Breana Stampfli, 6-4, 6-1.

Stampfli found the going rough in the second round, however, as she was stopped in straight sets by top seed Shankle Blair, 6-3, 6-3.