Top seeds Shankle and Nunzio capture singles titles

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

All the favourites with the exception of the 18 and under girls' doubles duo obliged on yesterday's sixth and final day of action in the International Tennis Federation Junior Tournament at the Eric Bell Tennis Centre.

With no Jamaicans in action, everyone's focus was on whether or not the top seeds would be able to get the better of their opponents in the four finals contested on the final day.

In the all American girls' 18 and under final, top seed Blair Shankle easily brushed aside Johnnise Renaud 6-3, 6-1 to take the title.

Shankle and Renaud then combined forces in the girls' 18 and under final, but were stopped by the second seeded pair of Bahamas' Simone Pratt and Valeria Salazar of Mexico 6-4, 6-3.

Del Nunzio boys' title

No. 1 seed Richard Del Nunzio of the United States of America had to rally from a set down to overcome compatriot Austin Siegal in the 18 and under boys' singles final. Siegal who is ranked fourth took the first set 6-3, before losing a close second set 7-6 (4). Numzio then wrapped up the title with a 6-3 victory in the third and decisive set.

The 18 and under boys' doubles was also a keenly contested affair between the top seeded duo of Walner Espinoza of Panama and Sigel who were up against the second seeded pair of Tunisia's Aws Laaribi and Tristan Meraut of France.

Espinoza and Siegal easily captured the first set 6-2, but were clipped 6-7 (5) in the second. This saw the game going to a match tie break with the first team to win 10 games with a clear margin of two being determined the winners. Espinoza and Siegal triumphed in the decider [10-6].