Jamaicans fail to shine at Hi-Pro open

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

Tennis Jamaica's plans to have the country represented at the 2016 Olympics were put in its proper perspective on Sunday night, as the finals of the inaugural Hi-Pro Ace Supercentre Tennis Open were contested at the Liguanea Club.

The men's and women's finals featured three foreign players and just one local representative in Damion Johnson. The local fans who patiently waited for play to commence, as late afternoon showers delayed the start of proceedings by four-and-a-half hours, did not have much to cheer about as Johnson was easily brushed aside by his The Bahamas' Devin Mullings in straight sets.

Mullings, who came into the tournament as the number two seed, wrapped up the match in little over an hour 6-0, 6-1, to crown himself the 2011 Hi-Pro Ace Supercentre Tennis Open men's champion and pocket the $500,000 prize.

Hard work

The 25-year-old explained how he went about securing what appeared a very easy victory.

"The match was a lot harder than the score reflected. I just stayed on him each and every point," Mullings said. "I played really well, I didn't give him anything and his game kind of fit into my game really well, so I was able to stay in a rhythm and dictate play," he added.

Mullings stamped his authority on the tournament, as he emerged winner without dropping a set and is looking forward to returning for the next event in November and also next year's staging of the Hi-Pro Ace Supercentre Tennis Open.

Johnson, who is the country's top male player and was the tournament's number one seed, painted a very disconsolate picture after the match.

"The lesson to take from this is to always be ready, always make sure the preparation is done and make sure you are mentally ready to play a match like this," Johnson said. "I came out here hoping to do well, but I couldn't judge the speed of the ball, so it was difficult for me to find my sweet spot out there and hit a clean ball," he added.

The women's final was a much more keenly contested affair between Simone Vranov-Brown of the United States and Trinidad and Tobago's Calista Mohammed.

The 21-year-old

Mohammed triumphed in straight sets 6-4, 7-5 to walk away with the $100,000 purse. She was delighted to have defeated Vranov-Brown, who has Jamaican roots and represented the country as a junior.

"It feels good to come into somebody else's country and win, but I trained really hard for it, so I really wanted it," Mohammed said. "I think we both played really well, but the most important points I won and that is what made me prevail," she added.

Vranov-Brown attributed the loss to her numerous unforced errors, but hopes to rebound next year.

"If my errors were cut in half I would have definitely won the match," the 19-year-old shared. "Next year is a big one for me, as I am definitely coming back. In August (next year) I will be playing in Montego Bay, so I will be back," she added.