By Rosemarie Parkinson, Contributor
Colombian Michael Quintero makes a return against Tres Davis of the US during their Bell Caribbean Jamaica Futures Championship match at Sunset Beach Resort in Montego Bay on Saturday. - Contributed
THE Bell Caribbean Jamaica Futures Championship held over the past week at Sunset Beach Resort in Montego Bay ended on Saturday in what can only be described as an exciting match between Michael Quintero of Colombia and Tres Davis of the USA.
Quintero finally overcame Davis who proved to be a very determined and disciplined opponent gaining 12 ATP points for himself.
Davis had a most successful week having just won the doubles final with partner Philip Gubenco from Canada the previous day. They both put in another formidable performance similar to their beating Alex Bogomolov and Cary Franklin USA at Liguanea Club the previous week.
The partnership fought bravely against Nicholas DeVilder and Thierry Guardiola of France beating the pair 6-1, 4-6, 6-3. Close followers of tennis will remember Guardiola as the young French player who beat the likes of Agassi, Sampras, Courrier and many others during 1995/96.
The heat here has been gruelling for the players in general but it has not stopped them from putting in some excellent performances. The finals had visitors to Jamaica, officials of the tennis and other players riveted to their seats with Quintero winning 6-3 quite easily in the first set.
Davis would not allow an easy win for the Colombian and although showing signs of tiredness, came back with a vengeance to beat Quintero 6-2. The third set however went to Quintero after a strong fight that went on for two hours and finally ended with the very happy Colombian winning 6-4. Davis said he had given of his best but was no match in the end for the South American, however, he continues to play at Wyndham and hopes to make the doubles a third win and to reach the top again in those finals.
As the finals were being played at Sunset Beach Resort, referee Romain Martens had his hands full with the qualifiers beginning at Wyndham Hotel, the venue for the third tournament. Yesterday Luke Smith, Australia, Leif Meineke, Germany, Andrew Scorteanu, USA, Trevor Spracklin USA, Andrew Derer, Australia, Paul Capdeville Chile, Adem Kennedy Australia, Nigel McDonald, Cayman Islands, joined the Main Draw.
The third Bell Caribbean Jamaica Futures begins at the prestigious Wyndham Hotel this morning 9:00.
Unfortunately the likes of Guardiola will not be present having been forced to return to France with an injury to the knee - it has not been easy for this Frenchman who had to qualify for the second time here in Montego Bay.
Jamaica's hopefuls are in for this third tournament and the competition should be fierce. Ryan Russell, Scott Willinsky and Dustin Browne will be holding the Jamaican flag high. They have all been putting in hours of gruelling practice and are expected to give excellent performances.
The end of the week brings the first break in the tournaments since it began on April 8 in Kingston.
Players from all over the world that are not here already will be arriving during this break to join the fourth tournament at Starfish Trelawny. So far all competitors have been extremely pleased with conditions and coaches are singing the praises of the organisers.
Jamaica has become the number one destination for young professionals to gain their ATP points and the game of tennis has taken on new meaning as the tournaments travel from circuit to circuit.
