Kobi Wilcott tops at 2019 Guardian Life Open Junior Tennis Champs
KOBI Wilcott defeated Aanchal Khemlani to capture the 2019 Guardian Life Open Junior Tennis Championships girls’ 18 and under singles title in the final at Liguanea Club in New Kingston recently.
Wilcott after easily wrapping up the first set 6-0, was surprised by her opponent who rallied strongly in the second set to win 6-4 and level the match 1-1.
The tie-breaker set was applied to decide the winner of the match with the first player reaching 10 points. Wilcott regained her composure and outplayed Khemlani 10-2 to clinch the title.
In the semi-finals, Wilcott beat Kalila Morris 6-4, 6-4, while Khemlani knocked out Imani Christian 6-1, 6-1.
The consolation girls’ 18 and under was won by Alexis Cephas who defeated Brianna Blackellar 8-0.
In the quarter-finals, Wilcott crushed Brianna Hinds 6-0, 6-0; Khemlani knocked out Fabienne Davis 6-1, 6-3; and Morris whipped Blackeller 6-1, 6-1.
Delano Reeves won the boys’ 16 and under singles beating Russell Fairman 6-3, 6-7 (tie-break 8-6) and 10-6 in the tie-break set to clinch the title.
In the semi-finals, Reeves beat Cole McNair 7-5, 6-0, while Fairman knocked out Jason Duval 6-2, 6-1.
Joel Villoria won the boys’ 14 and under singles beating Joshua Haye 8-3 in the final.
Volloria in his semi-finals gained a walk over from Shawn Ferguson, while Haye beat Danill Moe 8-3. In quarter-finals knockout, Villoria beat Rory Magnus 8-1, Haye blanked Matthew Clarke 8-0, Moe beat Zane Maher, and Ferguson gained a walk over from Nicoll Morgan.
Kyle Forrester beat Daniel Gordon 8-3 to win the consolation 14 and under boys’ singles.
Courtney Chin defeated Thandie Sampson 8-3 to capture the girls’ 14 and under singles title.
In the knockout semi-finals, Chin beat Eva Pinchas 8-4, while Sampson turned back Julie Madden 8-5. In quarter-final knockout, Madden defeated Ashley Facey 8-1.
Noel Godling, life underwriter at Guardian Life Limited said he was pleased to be part of the junior tennis championships and hoped that his company will continue its sponsorship.
Meanwhile, Llockett McGregor, tournament director, was happy with the turnout of players. He said over 50 players participated in various age groups and he would like to see more competing in the next junior tournament to be held next month.