Champ Johnson off to winning start

Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

Defending champion Damion Johnson was among the four top seeds to advance to today's round of 16, following yesterday's first-day action in the men's open singles in the third renewal of the Iberostar Tennis Classic at the Iberostar Resorts in Montego Bay.

Johnson, the tournament's No. 1 seed and red-hot favourite, was hardly required to break a sweat in the mid-afternoon sun as he calmly disposed of an over-matched Jordan Clarke by a 6-1, 6-1 margin to add early momentum to his title defence.

No. 2 seed Elvis Henry, who fell prey to Johnson in last year's final, promising young national player Macoy Malcolm, the No. 3 seed, and Marcus Malcolm, the No. 4 seed, all made their way into the round of 16, albeit in contrasting styles.

Henry had very little trouble blunting the challenge of Dimitri Bird, sending him packing by a 6-2, 6-2 margin. Macoy Malcolm handled the challenge of Camarsh Crumbie in a similar manner, also coming away with a 6-2, 6-2 win.

Nerve-wracking

However, for Malcom (Marcus), who was expected to have things easy, it was a nerve-wracking affair for him, as he barely scraped through against a determined Horatio Ludford, Montego Bay's top junior. In the end, he had a hard-fought 7-6 (5), 6-4 win.

"It was a keenly contested game as both players played quite well," said tournament referee Simon Casserly. "Malcolm had to come from behind to overcome the persistent young Ludford."

Today's round of 16 promises to be quite interesting, as a number of exciting matchups, featuring overseas-based and local players, are on the cards. Young Austin Davidow from the United States will lock horns with former national champion Nicholas Malcolm, while New York-based Steve Coleman will face off with Marlon Gitchie in games that should produce a lot of fireworks.

On the ladies side of the draw yesterday, No. 1 seed Pauline Hylton looked quite impressive in brushing aside rookie Sophia Morgan 6-1, 6-1. However, it should not be all smooth sailing for Hylton, as the promising Shellita Haughton from Kingston and Montego Bay's Shae Ann Kameka are both on her side of the draw.

The amateur side of the tournament, which is sponsored to the tune of $250,000 by Marksman Security and Advantage General Insurance Company Limited, will kick off today with a number of matches in classes two and three.

The tournament, which is being played in four categories - men's open, men's Classes Two and Three and ladies' amateur open - will see the men's open champion pocketing $100,000. The beaten finalist will take home $50,000, the semi-finalists $25,000 and the quarter-finalists $12,000.

The winner of each amateur event will enjoy a complimentary weekend for two at an Iberostar resort.