JACOB Bicknell demolished top seed Marcus Malcolm in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2 to capture the singles title at the 2016 Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL) Men’s Open Tennis Championships at the Liguanea Club in New Kingston on Sunday.

The 17-year-old Bicknell, seeded at five, was also winning his first major title as he outplayed the more experienced Malcolm from the opening set.

“I am very pleased with this win as I came very close in the recent Swept Away Championships nearly upsetting the top seed,” Bicknell said.

“At no time I was in trouble against him, and despite the fact that he played some good shots, I was totally in control of the match. I am now looking to follow up on this win in the Jamaica National Men’s Open Championships next month,” a delighted Bicknell beamed.

Meanwhile, Malcolm congratulated Bicknell on his fine win and said he played extremely well. “He played some fine shots, but my game was not up to standard.”

Bicknell on his way to victory defeated second-seeded Jeremy Miller in straight sets 6-4, 7-6, beat third-seeded Matthew Rodrigues in the quarter-finals 6-2, as his opponent retired, while gaining a walk-over against Gregory Spencer in second-round action.

Malcolm made his way through to the final with a 6-4, 7-6 win over fourth-seeded Yussuf Migoko, defeated unseeded Alex Goldson in the quarter-finals, 6-4, 1-6, 11-9 (super tie-breaker), and Roshane Allen 6-2, 6-0 in the second round.

Meanwhile, the Men’s Open Class Two singles final was won by unseeded Shadaine Douglas, who defeated third seed Ricardo Chambers in straight sets 6-4, 6-3. In the semi-finals, Douglas beat Rudolph Jackson in straight sets 7-6, 6-4, while Chambers also defeated Bruce Hart 7-6, 6-4.

The Men’s Open Class Three was won by unseeded Warrenton Dixon, who defeated Alric Sproul in the final 6-3, 6-3. In the semi-finals, Dixon knocked out third-seeded Ricardo Livingston 6-4, 7-5, while Sproul gained a walk-over against top seed Scott Jones.

Jhana Edwards, corporate communications co-ordinator of Supreme Ventures Limited, congratulated the winners and runners-up and all the players who participated in the championships.

Llockett McGregor, tournament director, said it was a very exciting and competitive championship where the young players were given the opportunity to play against their more experienced opponents.

“We need to give the younger players the exposure by playing against their senior opponents to develop them to compete in the Davis Cup in the future,” McGregor said.

– Gerald Reid