JAMAICAN 11-year-old cutting-edged tennis prospect Blaise Bicknell won the finals of a 12U Sectional in Orlando, Florida, recently, by gliding past Nicholas Garcia 6-1, 6-0.

Bicknell, who has been proving a handful for his age group and above, reached the final of the tournament by stamping his authority over Theo Winegar 6-2, 6-2 in their semi-finals clash earlier.

A few weeks before Monday’s victory Bicknell won the USTA National Regional tournament in Delray Beach.

In Monday’s encounter Bicknell was accompanied by Mel Spence, one of his coaches, who said: “Blaise fought like a true champion and if he were to keep this up and trains hard he can be one of the top players in the world for juvenile tennis at this stage of his career.”

The plucky little fellow has over a year remaining in 12 and Under, but plans to move up to 14 and Under in January in the USA. The promising racquet sharp is currently ranked #40 in the USA and is the second highest-ranked Florida player on the USA national list.

After this tournament he should move up to about seven places to #33 in the USA. Blaise plans to play a 12U USTA Regional in Georgia from October 25-27 and then has the two largest National tournaments, the Eddie Herr in Sarasota, and the Orange Bowl in Miami at the end of November and December.