Stephens advances at ITF Jamaica International Junior tourney
JAMAICA’S Michaela Stephens advanced to the second round of the 2019 International Tennis Federation Jamaica Invitational Junior Tournament at the Eric Bell Tennis Centre after defeating compatriot Selena Bird 7-6 (9-7 tie-breaker), 6-1 yesterday.
The 16-year-old Stephens, who is currently the top junior in the island, will face unseeded Kathryn Treiber from the United States of America. Treiber pulled off an upset against fifth-seeded Noa Dujardin from France, winning 6-0, 6-3 in her second-round match.
Meanwhile, there were no other successful Jamaicans yesterday, as Joshua Graveney was crushed 6-0, 6-0 by Nik Wastcoat from the USA, Katherine Dibbs was blown away by a similar scoreline by Brooklyn Olson from USA, Aanchal Khemlani suffered a similar fate, Jamar Parkinson was whipped 6-0, 6-0 by Zihao Yuan from China, Nathan Cooper was brushed aside 6-0, 6-0 by Jakub Ostajewski from the USA, Kalila Morris also went down 0-6, 0-6 to Victoria Sasinka from the USA, and Ryan Cox lost 2-6, 3-6 to Diego Trejo from the USA.
Jamaica’s biggest hope will be top seed Blaise Bicknell, who was to face David Kennerley from New Zealand in his first round clash yesterday but the match was postponed due to rain showers. He is scheduled to play his first-round match today at 9:00 am.
Bicknell has been competing on the ITF Juniors Circuit and has won two 18 and under boys’ singles titles and a doubles title.
Other Jamaicans who should be in action in boys singles today are Damani Cain, who will face Alexander Pustovit from Russia; Hayley McNair up against Gabrielle Leslie from Barbados; Courtney Chin going up against Aleia De Nuretel from the USA; Thandie Sampson meeting Jones from the USA, and Blake Shoucair taking on Tom Grosjean from France.
Twenty countries are participating in the boys, and girls, 18 and under singles.
—Gerald Reid