Dwyer, Dawson cop singles titles at RTA-EY Junior Invitational Tourney
CLIFF Dwyer and Najah Dawson crowned themselves boys’ and girls’ singles champions at the second staging of the Russell Tennis Academy (RTA)-Ernest Young top Junior Invitational Tennis Tournament which ended at the Academy last Saturday.
The tournament was played amongst the leading junior players, top 16 in the boys and top eight in the girls, and included the recent All-Jamaica Junior champions in the various categories 18 and under, 16 and under, 14 and under and 12 and under boys and girls.
Dwyer defeated Kyle Martin in three sets, coming from a set down to win 3-6, 6-2, 6-2. Dwyer had knocked out the second seed Brandon Town 6-1, 6-4 in his semi-final, while Martin received a bye into the final after top seed Andrew Bicknell had withdrawn because of a hand injury in his semi-final.
Meanwhile, American-born Dawson easily brushed aside her opponent, Jamaica’s Shae-Ann Kameka, in straight sets 6-0, 6-0 in the girls’ singles final.
In her semi-final, Dawson, who was the top seed, crushed Shaeda Nickle in straight sets 6-0, 6-0, while Kameka defeated Selena Blythe 6-2, 6-4 in her semis. Kameka had knocked out second seed Llana Blackwood in the first round.
Dwyer said he was very happy to win the tough three-setter. The 16-year-old observed that the high wind posed a challenge, but after Martin had taken a 4-1 lead in the first set, he redoubled his efforts and went on to win.
“I decided to change my game in the second set and after taking a 2-0 lead I began to get my shots going, and it was now taking its toll on my opponent and I went on to win and level the match,” Dwyer said.
He added that once he had taken the lead in the third and final set 2-0, he knew he would have won after breaking his opponent at least four times.
Martin, on the other hand, was not too pleased with himself for losing the final with Dwyer after easily taking the first set.
“I won the first set quite well, but things went wrong in the second and third sets. I tried to finish the points too quickly most of the times, and that cost me the match, along with my fitness level,” Martin said.
He blamed fatigue for his lacklustre performance, but conceded that Dwyer played a good match.
Meanwhile, Dawson said it was an easy win.
“It’s the first time I am playing in this tournament and also the first time coming to Jamaica, and I hope to return once again and defend my title,” said the American, who won all her four matches convincingly over the Jamaican girls.
She said despite the windy conditions throughout the match, her opponent never posed a threat and double-faulted too many times in both sets.
Richard Russell, who was the tournament director and a director of the Russell Tennis Academy (RTA), said this tournament continued to place the spotlight on the players each year.
“Some excellent matches were played throughout the tournament, and I hope to put the best of the junior players on show,” Russell said.
He thanked all the sponsors for their support and hoped to have them on board once again.