Cox, Wong capture Hi-Lyte/RTA Super Series Tennis titles
Ryan Cox and Mia Wong emerged respective boys’ and girls’ 16 and under singles champions at the inaugural staging of the Hi-Lyte Sports Drinks/Russell Tennis Academy (RTA) Super Series at Campion College last weekend.
Top seed Cox of Campion College defeated second-seeded Richard Barrett, also of Campion College, in straight sets 6-4, 6-0, while Wong of Immaculate Conception came from a set down to beat Moesha Fox of St Andrew High School for Girls 2-6, 6-4 (11-9 super tie-breaker).
The 14-year-old Cox, who did not drop a set on his way to victory, said he was quite happy to have won and he was hoping to win many more tournaments in his age group.
“I played really well and also my 17-year-old opponent was good, but he gave up in the second set after I had him down 3-0, in which I applied more pressure with my serves,” Cox said.
Meanwhile, 15-year-old Wong said, “It’s the first time I am winning a tournament that is sanctioned by Tennis Jamaica, despite winning other competitions.
“It was, however, not an easy game as Fox played well. In the super tie-breaker set she led and was one point away from clinching the match, which I rallied strongly after trailing at 6-9. I was able to outplay her and won five consecutive points to win 11-9,” Wong said.
Meanwhile, in the boys’ 16 and under semi-finals, Cox defeated Cole McNair of Campion College in straight sets 6-2, 6-1, while Barrett knocked out Jordan Parua of Hillel Academy, also in straight sets 6-1, 7-5.
Semi-final action in the Girls’ 16 and Under saw Wong receiving a walkover from top seed Selena Blythe, while Fox came from a set down to beat Kobi Walcott of St Andrew High School for Girls, 2-6, 6-4, 12-10 (super tie-breaker set).
Ricky Martin, sales and promotion executive of Hi-Lyte Sports Drinks, congratulated the winners and all the players who participated in the two-day competition.
He said he was looking forward to his company’s continued support and assistance to the development of tennis in Jamaica.
The Super Tennis Series is also a sanctioned event by the governing body Tennis Jamaica. Players also picked up points from the tournament to increase their rankings.
