THIRD-SEEDED Daniel Hill defeated top-seeded Cliff Dwyer in straight sets to capture the Boys’ 18 and Under singles title at the 2016 Guardian Life Open Junior Tennis Championships at the Liguanea Club in New Kingston on Sunday.

The boys’ final, which lasted around an hour and a half, saw Hill winning 7-6 (7-5 tie-breaker), 6-4 to gain his third hold on the title. He won in 2013 and 2015.

Hill said that he played well, and was producing some good shots with his back and forearm. “My serves were really good. This is also the first singles tournament since February of this year.

“Dwyer is a very good player and does not give up easily, as he can rally strongly. I was getting a few cramps and down 2-3 in the second set but I played the ball on its merit and got my shots going well,” Hill added.

Dwyer congratulated Hill on his victory and said he played well. “I wasn’t getting my shots going too well, and it was a bad day for me. My serves were off and a few of my returns, however, my opponent got the better of me this time around and came out winner.”

Meanwhile, the Girls’ 16 and Under was won by top seed, 13-year-old Michaela Stephens by default over third-seeded Emma Dibbs, who did not report for her match. In the semi-finals, Dibbs had beaten second-seeded Hayley McNair 6-2, 6-2, and Stephens easily eliminated third-seeded Kailey Chin 6-0, 6-1.

“I was very disappointed not playing the final because I was confident of winning. I really wanted to play her,” Stephens said.

Stephens had won this title last year and was expecting a tough challenge from Dibbs, who she has beaten on many occasions. “I was well prepared for another battle between us.”

Top seed John Azar won the Boys’ 16 and Under final by defeating Mario Campbell from Montego Bay in straight sets 6-4, 6-4. In the semi-finals played the previous day, Azar brushed aside fourth-seeded Romeo Edwards 6-2, 6-0, while Campbell upset second-seeded Ryan Cox 2-6, 6-4, 11-9 (super tie-breaker).

Azar said it was a good match although he had to work very hard for each point against Campbell.

“I really wanted to play in the Boys’ 18 and Under singles to have more and better competitiveness. However, I am very glad for win,” said the 14-year-old Azar, who has been dominating his age group throughout the year.

Top seed Daniel Azar was the winner of the Boys’ 14 and Under singles final, winning 3-6, 7-5, 10-5 (super tie-breaker) over second seed Cole McNair. In the semi-finals, Azar beat Russell Fairman 6-2, 6-1, while McNair beat Keyondre Clarke 7-5, 4-6, 10-3 (super tie-breaker).

Moesha Fox, seeded at number one, captured the Girls’ 14 and Under final with a 7-5, 6-2 win over second-seeded Katherine Dibbs. In their semi-finals, Fox defeated unseeded Gabrielle Bernard 6-2, 6-3, while Dibbs beat third-seeded Savannah Thomson 4-6, 7-5, 10-6 (super tiebreaker).

Second seed Alexander Bicknell won the Boys’ 12 and Under singles final with a 6-7 (9-7 tiebreaker), 6-4, 10-8 (super tiebreaker) win over top seed Jordan Vaz. Bicknell in his semi-final had beaten third-seeded Arjan Trehan 8-4, and Vaz had whipped fourth-seeded Joshua Haye 8-1.

Raquel Pusey from Guardian Life Limited, who presented the trophies to the winners and runners-up, said she was very pleased with the turnout of players and will again be sponsoring this tournament next year.

“It has been 15 consecutive years Guardian Life has been the sponsor and has seen some good matches over the two-day competition. Our sponsorship is also a part of growing tennis in Jamaica,” Pusey said.

Meanwhile, tournament director Llockett McGregor thanked Guardian Life for their continued sponsorship.

“We have witnessed some splendid and fine tennis from these junior players that include many upsets of the seeds, so we have seen a great improvement by everyone,” McGregor said.

He also thanked the coaches for letting their players participate in the tournament. “There would be no development of tennis without coaches.”