ILANA Blackwood and Kyle Martin captured the girls’ and boys’ MVP titles, respectively, after stellar performances in the Under-16 and Under-18 categories at Sunday’s final day of the Sagicor Bank All Jamaica Junior Tennis Championships.

A record 80 boys and 40 girls participated in four days of intense competition, which began last Thursday at the Eric Bell Tennis Centre in Kingston.

Blackwood eased past Stephanie Franz 6-3, 6-2 in the Under-16 final but found national representative Shaeda Nickle too good in the Under-18 final, as she went down to the more experienced Nickle in straight sets, 6-1, 6-1.

Blackwood’s Under-16 title and Under-18 runner-up finish meant she was the overall female MVP of the 40 participants.

In boys’ action, unseeded Kyle Martin was in scintillating form and so too was the number two seeded Daniel Hill. Martin showcased immense technical ability and a crafty display of all-round ability from baseline play to dominate at the net to eventually seize a 7-5, 6-4 victory in the Under-16 category.

Martin later returned in the Under-18 final where all eyes were firmly on him after easily dispatching the Under-18 top seed Nicholas Malcolm in the semi-finals, and he did not disappoint as he toppled Cliff Dwyer 6-4, 7-5 to seal a comprehensive day of play.

Following the awards ceremony on Sunday, Brand Manager of Sagicor Bank Jamaica Limited Rejeanne Campbell could hardly hold back her excitement on the successful staging of this year’s Championships. “I would run out of adjectives to describe what a wonderful tournament it has been, exciting and nail-biting stuff from the kids. The future looks bright for tennis in Jamaica,” said Campbell.

The inaugural Under-10 title saw Keyon’Dre Clarke losing out 10-3 to Daniel Azar; and Alyssa James taking the equivalent in the girls, scoring 6-3 to Savannah Thompson. In the boys’ Under-12, Damani Cain had to settle for second spot to John Azar, who won 6-1, 6-2.

The Under-14 boys’ title went to Myles Harrison, who took out John Azar 6-2, 6-1. In the much anticipated Under-18 boys’ final, Martin secured his second title in as many finals, beating Cliff Dwyer 6-4, 7-5.

On the girls’ side, Laurenne Mottley had a comfortable 6-2, 6-3 win over Katherine Dibbs to secure the Under-12 crown; while Junmoke James was also unmatched as she took out Justine Bryson 6-1, 6-3 in the Under-14 category final.

The girls’ Under-18 doubles crown went to Stefanie Franz and Shaeda Nickle, while the boys’ Under-18 doubles title was won by Myles Harrison and Daniel Hill. The boys’ Under-14 doubles title was won by Alexander Bicknell and Damani Chin.