Tennis: All Three Bermuda Players Advance
William Way, Nicholas Lines and Eva Frazzoni all qualified for main draw in the 2011 Under 13 Tennis Development Championships being held in Suriname, South America.
A gutsy performance by Way completed Bermuda’s efforts of having all players make it to the main draw.
Way was last on court and faced Taqel Lewis of St. Lucia, and both players needed the win as they were without a win in their group of three players. Way made a good start breaking Lewis in the first game and found himself serving for the set at 3 games to 1, but, lost that game, and with a valiant effort from Lewis the set was tied at 4 games all. It was a well fought mandatory tie break with Way edging out a 7 – 5 win.
With the first set in hand things looked good for the Bermudian. A little fist pumping and he was on his way to the second set. Things were even until the St. Lucian got a crucial break to go ahead 3 – 2 in the second set. Way was clearly frustrated and challenged over and over with the St. Lucian slice backhand stroke that stayed low in the court. This tactic was successful and the second set went to Lewis 4 – 2.
The match was now set for the deciding “match tie break”. Way made a fast start going ahead 5 points to 1. Lewis came roaring back and went ahead 8 – 5. Way found his way back to what got him ahead at the start, with some assistance from Lewis’ errors over the baseline. Way got back to 8 points all and with a renewed passion, never fell behind again. He claimed the victory with a 11 – 9 tie break win.
Before the drama of the Way match, Lines with a belly full of butterflies, fell victim to Joshua Worme of Barbados. Worme was another Lefthander in their group and Lines had no answers for the Bajans all court play.
The match was short lived with Lines going down 4 – 0, 4 – 1, Lines was somewhat dejected but only for a short while as he later learned that his efforts still got him second place in the group and thus making it into the main draw.
Frazzoni is the only unbeaten Bermudian finishing her Round Robin play with a 3 wins, Frazzoni defeated Ilana Blackwood of Barbados in straight sets 4 – 1, 4 – 2.
The Main Draw, Doubles and Consolation events begin today. The Seeding’s and placement process is currently underway, Lines and Way will play together in the Boys Doubles, while Frazzoni has paired up with D’Jeri Raymond of Antigua and Barbuda.
