Iberostar Classic serves off today

Adrian Frater, News Editor

WESTERN BUREAU:

The third renewal of the Iberostar Tennis Classic, which will feature the island's top players alongside five overseas entrants, will serve off at the Iberostar Resorts in Montego Bay this morning, one day ahead of the original schedule.

"We were forced to bring the tournament forward by a day because of the large number of entries we received," said tournament referee Simon Casserly.

He added: "Presently, we have 101 combined entries, which is the largest number of entries we have ever had."

Today's action will see 12 of the 38 entrants in the men's Open playing off in a special qualifying event to fill six places in the tournament's main draw, which will get going tomorrow morning. Three late entrants have also signed up as on-site alternates.

Like the previous two stagings, this year's tournament, which has attracted a record $250,000 from main sponsors Marksman Security and Advantage General Insurance Company Limited, will feature four categories - Men's Open, Men's Classes 2 & 3 and Ladies' Amateur Open.

Reigning national champion, Damion Johnson, who defeated Elvis Henry 6-2, 2-6, 7-6, 7-1 in last year's final, is heavily tipped to retain the men's Open title, while Stephen Shirley, who defeated Michael Lawrence 3-6, 6-0, 7-6 for the men's Class Two crown, is also expected to make a successful defence of his title.

"We have an excellent line-up, and as usual we are expecting an exciting tournament," said Casserly, who labelled the tournament the best on the local calendar. "All the players are ready and raring to go, so we are expecting a treat for the fans."

Prize money

The winner of the men's Open will pocket $100,000, the beaten finalist $50,000, the semi-finalists $25,000 and the quarter-finalists $12,000. The winner of each amateur event will enjoy a complementary weekend for two at an Iberostar resort.

Montego Bay's top 50 junior tennis players will benefit from giveaways and a free tennis clinic during the tournament, courtesy of both the overseas and local-based professionals who will participate in the tournament. The clinic will be held in the morning prior to the start of each day's play.

The junior programme is also poised to be the recipient of a donation of equipment from overseas but according to Casserly, the items have been detained by Customs. However, he is hopeful that the items will be released in time for the clinic.