Tym Glaser, Associate Editor - Sport
Ryan Russell in action against Cuba's Edgar Hernandez-Perez on Friday at the Liguanea Club. - JUNIOR DOWIE/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
HURRICANE EMILY yesterday stalled Jamaica's victory charge in their Americas Zone Group Two Davis Cup tie against Cuba at the Liguanea Club, New Kingston but it couldn't dampen the team's spirit.
After winning both opening singles matches on Friday, the victors, Ryan Russell and Damar Johnson, could have delivered the coup de grace to the visitors in yesterday's scheduled doubles match but Emily rained on any possible victory parade.
"It's a little disappointing - obviously we would have liked to have played today but you can't do anything about the weather," national coach Douglas Burke said yesterday afternoon while waiting official confirmation from the tournament referee that play had been abandoned for the day.
"Hopefully, things will clear up early tomorrow and we can get the doubles in and then some of the reverse singles matches," he said.
The island's top player, Russell, got things off to a flying start in the opening singles on Friday with an emphatic 6-0, 6-2, 6-1 victory over Cuba's Edgar Hernandez-Perez. Teenager Johnson then kept the ball rolling with an impressive triumph against Cuba's No. 1, Richard Chile-Fonte, 6-3, 7-6, 6-4.
It was a dream start for the hosts who need to win the tie or be relegated to Group Three next year and Burke said he was not surprised.
"Well all know what Ryan can do as he's a seasoned Cup campaigner now and I was not at all surprised by Damar because I know he has the ability to play like that and he just showed what he is capable of," the skipper said.
YOUNG TEAM
"Friday was a good day and it certainly augurs well for the future because we have a young team," he said.
Weather permitting, today's doubles tie will start at 10:00 a.m. and, after a break, be followed by the reverse singles. If no play is possible, the tie can be continued tomorrow and even Tuesday if necessary.
"Basically, we're just hoping for the weather to clear so we can get on with things," Burke said. "I don't think it affects anything one way or the other for us. The players have been through rain delays before and both teams are in the same position."
