FORMER national and regional junior champion Ashante Smith signalled his intention at the senior level with a decisive win at the 2014 Liguanea Club Open which wrapped up over last weekend.

The in-form teenager delivered an authoritative performance, convincingly beating his training partner, the reigning All Jamaica and Caribbean Under-19 champion Julian Morrison, to win his first senior title.

After losing the first game, Smith turned the tide on Morrison and rallied to post a 16/21, 21/17, 21/7, 21/7 win. The victory put a pause on Morrison’s year-long winning streak which saw him taking the All Jamaica and Caribbean titles and contributing strongly to the University of Technology’s successful defence of their KPMG Squash League trophy.

In the play-off for third place, Adam Ardito prevailed in an exciting match-up to beat Yasser Wright 21/15, 21/19, 21/16. Then, in the consolation round, Nathalee Boreland earned bragging rights when she beat 12-time All Jamaica Ladies champion Karen Anderson, 21/9, 21/14, 21/15.

“Overall we are very happy with the quality of play and the great sportsmanship we saw in this year’s tournament,” said Lowell Lawrence, president of the Liguanea Club.

“However, what was most significant about the 2014 Liguanea Club Open is that we saw a definitive changing of the guard as we had some of our youngest players finishing in the top four,” he added.