Jamaica’s number one ranked tennis player Blaise Bicknell produced a life-time best performance to book his place in the semifinals of the event at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games Championships in El Salvador on Monday.

The 21-year-old Bicknell, who has been in excellent form this season, defeated Costa Rica’s Rodrigo Crespo 6-3, 6-7 and 12-10 in the final set tie-breaker. The match, which began on Sunday, was interrupted due to heavy rains with Bicknell leading 5-3 in the first set. Bicknell quickly wrapped up the first set after the resumption Monday before losing the second set to Crespo.

The young Jamaican, who played brilliantly in the final set, had to save off six match points throughout the match. He trailed Crespo 9-4 in the final set tie-breaker before leveling the match at nine all. Crespo then went up 10-9, but Bicknell dug deep into his reserves to win the next three points and sealed a very memorable victory.

Bicknell’s coach Mel Spence said he was very proud of his young charge’s performance.

“I am overjoyed because it was an amazing performance from Blaise,” said Spence. “He had to save six match points and that is unbelievable, that is just the heart of a champion,” he said.

– Robert Bailey