This weekend, it was an all-American affair in the boys and girls finals at the National Tennis Centre in Gros Islet. Some 40 young players took part in the National Lotteries Authority (NLA) Junior International J30 Tennis Tournament.
A total of 26 players aged 16 to 18 were entered in the boys’ draw, and 14 in the girls. Athletes hailed from Antigua & Barbuda, Brazil, Martinique, mainland France, Trinidad & Tobago, Italy, Russia, Canada, Hong Kong, the USA, and Great Britain.
Triumphing at the Beausejour facility in the boys final was Tyler Bush of the USA, winner over compatriot Max Goldemberg 6-3, 6-2. Bush, unseeded, defeated fellow American and top seed USA Mark Mrcela 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 to book his spot in the final. Goldemberg overcame second seed Zachry Plante 6-2, 7-5.
Saint Lucians David Melville and Ahlil Cyril were both eliminated in straight sets in the first round of play.
11 teams played boys’ doubles. The number one seeded Trinidad & Tobago duo of Zachery Byng and B’Jorn Hall combined for a fraught victory over the American pair of Bush and Grant Kleppinger. The Americans won the opening set 7-6, only for the Trinidadians to reply with 6-1 win in the second frame. The last set went down to the wire, with the Trinidad & Tobago pair prevailing 13-11.
A total of 26 players were entered in the boys’ draw. Athletes from Antigua & Barbuda, Brazil, Martinique, mainland France, Trinidad & Tobago, Italy, Canada, Hong Kong, the USA, and Great Britain
Fourth seed Scarlett Fagan met third seed Jaiya Siffrard in the finale. Both are Americans. Siffrard trounced Russia’s Iana Kravchenkova 6-1, 6-0 in the semis. Fagan had little more trouble in stopping countrywoman and two seed Kaya Baker 6-1, 6-1. Come the title decider, it was Fagan with the win, 6-3, 6-1.
The two hometown players, Iyana Paul and Anaiah Bousquet, failed to get past the opening round.
Fagan and Siffrard, the top team in the draw, bested Kata Baker and Lily Sloan, also of the USA, 7-5, 6-3.
