Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter
LOCAL TALENTS Jordan Harris and Oshane Trail continued to shine in the ITF Jamaica Junior International Boys' 14 tournament as they booked their places in the quarter-final round with impressive wins yesterday at the NCB Wellness Centre.
Though pushed in the second set after a 6-4 victory in the first, Harris managed to stave off a late charge by Bahamian Andre Cargil, securing his spot in the last eight with a 7-5 win. Trail had an easier time with Barbadian Adrian Brandon and, after winning the first set 6-3, had even less resistance from Brandon in the second, winning that set 6-0.
Things did not go as well for the other two Jamaicans who broke through to the main draw on Tuesday. Joseph Ross proved to be no match for Aruban Ibian Hodgson, losing, 6-1, 6-1, while Sheldon McIntosh lost out to Mexican Adolfo Guerrero 6-2, 6-2.
DISAPPOINTMENT
In girls' 14 action, there was disappointment for 12-year-old Shantal Blackwood as she lost out to Jamaica-born Lauren Brown 6-3, 6-3. After winning all her matches in the preliminary round, Blackwood had been given the number two seed. In the girls' 12 category, which has only four competitors, there was also a victory for Michael-Ann Denton as she defeated Melena Lopez of Barbados 8-4. However, due to persistent rain, the day's play eventually had to be called off at the NCB centre.
Over at the Eric Bell Tennis Centre, where there are no Jamaicans left in the singles draw, rain also saw play come to a close prematurely.
In early 18 games, Joanna Mather (US) got by Alejandra Granillo (Mexico) 6-4, 6-4, Sarah Lazarevic (Canada) defeated Nicole Monteiro (Netherlands) 7-6 (4), 6-2 and Hannah Berner (US) turned back Brittany Wowchuk (Canada) 7-5, 6-4.
On the men's side of the draw, Ty Trombetta (US) defeated Juan Ponce (Ecuador) and Uriel Oquendo (Colombia) got by Nicholas Spinnazze (US) 7-5(4), 6-4.
