PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):
JAMAICAN RYAN Russell outgunned St. Lucian veteran Vernon Lewis in a lopsided singles final at the Caribbean Top-16 Invitational and added the doubles title on a fruitful final day on Sunday.
The left-handed Russell, who is Jamaica's lead Davis Cup player, shut out Lewis 6-0, 6-0 to collect the winning prize of US$2,500 and then teamed with fellow Jamaican Jermaine Smith to defeat Lewis and Bahamian H'Cone Thompson in straight sets for the doubles crown.
In the doubles final, Russell and Smith outplayed second seeds Lewis and Thompson for a 6-3, 6-3 win.
The 22-year-old Russell, hardly threatened in his run towards the title, was totally dominant against Lewis, who had registered a couple of upset wins against other Jamaican Davis Cup players en route to the final.
His wins over second-seed Smith and the fourth-seeded Elvis Henry had set Lewis up for a competitive showing but Russell was unchallenged in the encounter and finished the match swiftly.
Russell's sharp service game constantly pressured Lewis, whose own service held no terrors for his opponent.
Russell frequently won points on service returns and used his superior speed and athleticism to overwhelm the 40-year-old Lewis.
