Harris, Aldane through to Class Three quarters

Class Three number-one seed, Richard Harris, and number-two seed, Junior Aldane, became the first quarter-finalists in the Jamaica National/All-Jamaica Tennis Open, when they defeated Garth Darby and Marlon Hosang, respectively, in second-round action at the Police Officers' Club on Sunday.

Harris defeated Darby 6-4, 6-2, while number-four seed Aldane got the better of HoSang 6-2, 6-2.

In Class One play, national Davis Cup representative and Class One number-one seed, Damian Johnson, made a winning start to his title chase when he stopped qualifier, Ramone Doyley, 6-0, 6-2, also on Sunday, in the first round.

Johnson will next turn his attention to tomorrow's second round, which will also see number-three seed, Yussuf Migoko, participating. Migoko defeated Barry Hazel 6-1, 6-1 in his first-round match.

In the meantime, number-two seed, Ocho Rios-based Cadren Todd, is scheduled to bow into action on Thursday.

First-round matches

Action in Class Two was expected to heat up last night, with number-one seed Gordon Chuck and number-two seed, Stephen Shirley - who both gained walkovers in their first-round matches last weekend - seeking quarter-final berths.

"So far, the tournament has been progressing well," said tournament director, Chris Taylor.

"We have had a 32 draw in all categories, which nowadays seems to be hard to find, including a doubles Open, and a doubles Class Two. So in terms on participants, it's well supported.

"We are now hoping that Hurricane Tomas stays away as we expect better quality matches to come and larger turnouts among spectators," he added.

The three-week tournament, which is being staged for the first time in many years, is slated to end on Tuesday, November 9.

Matches are played between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. on week nights, and 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. on weekends.

LIME and King Midas Mufflers are associate sponsors of the event.

- Jermaine Lannaman