Tym Glaser, Associate Editor - Sport
Jamaica's number one player, Ryan Russell, hits a double-fisted forehand return to Guatemala's Israel Morales during the first singles match of the Davis Cup American Zone Group two tie at Tryall in Hanover, yesterday. Russell won 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 to give Jamaica a 1-0 lead. - Claudine Housen/Staff Photographer
MONTEGO BAY:
IT TOOK almost eight frustrating hours, but as the sun set at Tryall yesterday, Ryan Russell secured Jamaica's first point in their Davis Cup Americas Zone Group Two elimination clash with Guatemala.
On a severely rain-affected opening day, the Jamaica No. 1 won 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 against Israel Morales to give the hosts the edge heading into today's second day, which will feature the rescheduled second singles match between Jamaican Cup debutant Damion Johnson and Guate-mala's No. 1 Cristian Paiz, and then the crucial doubles tie.
Russell got off to a fast start yesterday against Morales and raced to a 4-1 lead in the first set before Morales, riding a rocket of a forehand, fought his way back into the set to level at 4-4.
HOT, BLUSTERY CONDITIONS
However, in hot, blustery conditions, the Jamaican left-hander from Montego Bay was more steady on serve from both sides of the court and clinched the next two games and the set against the aggressive 19-year-old.
Russell soon found himself down a break in the second set at 1-2 but that seemed to provide just the spark he needed and he rattled off five of the next six games to go up 2-0.
All seemed set for a quick ending when Russell jumped out to a 3-1 advantage in the third set but then, just after midday, came the rain which effectively washed out six hours of play.
Several attempts were made to restart the rubber during breaks in the rain but each was thwarted. However, dogged match referee Marco Sergent of Venezuela was determined to get at least the first match finished and his efforts paid off when Russell and Morales returned to the court just before 6:00 p.m. in sultry, calm and overcast conditions.
The big break seemed to take much of the punch out of the game Guatemalan and Russell broke him immediately and then held for a 5-1 lead. Morales held his next serve, but that was to be his last hurrah as Russell held comfortably to clinch the match.
"It was a long day - horrible weather, but I'm just glad we finished it today," Russell said. "It was tough during the rain breaks, I just rested and ate carbs to try and keep the energy up.
DOUBLES TOMORROW
"I can now get a little rest and be ready for the doubles tomorrow. I'm happy the referee kept persisting in getting everyone on the court to try and get it done."
Russell and veteran Jermaine Smith will play today's doubles and Luis Perez-Chete and Marcel Chavez are listed to line up for the visitors, but Russell said he would be surprised if the Jamaicans faced that combination.
"I don't think they will play those guys. I think they will play Cristian Paiz and Chavez; that's the team they've used the past few times," he said.
"It's going to be difficult for them because they will have their No. 1 player playing singles and doubles tomorrow and then Paiz will have to come back out on Sunday for the singles again," Russell said of his Sunday reverse singles opponent.
Action begins today at the Hanover club at 10:00 a.m.
