Bermuda Beats Jamaica, Qualifies For Event
Bermuda defeated Jamaica in their semi-final and secured a place in the top three countries in the Boys Division, qualifying for the Masters Event of the International Tennis Federation [ITF] Grand Slam Development Fund [GSDF] 12 and under age group in Mexico later this year.
As expected, it was a difficult match up against the Jamaicans. In the number two position and taking to the court first, Ben Jones had a tough two setter against John Chin; the first set was 4-1 to Jones, but it was not as easy as the score indicated.
Jones had to stick to the game plan and not just be content with holding serve. There were some good exchanges, but the Jamaican could not keep up with Jones, who used the width of the court.
In the second set, the Jamaican got stronger as the rallies got longer. Fortunately, an early break took some pressure off Jones and he found himself serving for the match at three games to one in the second set. The Jamaican found another gear and brought the match even at three games all.
The next two games went with serve and thus required a tiebreak to decide the set. Jones again got an early break in the tie breaker and had a comfortable 5-1 lead at the change of ends. Jones closed out the tiw breaker 7-3 and won the match by a score of 4-1, 5-4 [3].
This was a boost to the team spirit and set the stage for Trey Mallory to follow. Mallory was understandably nervous as Demany Cain was already known to him; they played earlier this year in a tournament and the Jamaican came out on top.
The number ones put on a good show with a combination of power drives and winner angled midcourt shots. Mallory had gotten early breaks in both sets only to relinquish 3-1 leads in both. This seemed to bring some doubt to Mallory and possibly memories of the prior loss.
The smaller Jamaican used his good court coverage and ball sense to nullify the power of Mallory. Cain was very adept at using spin of his own and as a defensive ploy. In the end, it was the steady play of the Jamaican that earned him a 5-3, 5-3 victory and level the singles at one match a piece.
After a short break, the players were back on court to contest the deciding doubles match. It would not be the end for the loser, as they would have another chance to qualify in third position with a win against the loser of the opposite semifinal.
Another early break by Bermuda saw Jones and Mallory take the first set four games to one. The second set would prove more difficult to close out. Having again taken the first break, fortunes changed somewhat, and a number errors at the net rattled the confidence of the Bermuda duo. Jamaica brought it back to three games all.
Understanding that it would be better to be smart and work hard to win two more games, then to remain even and have to maybe play two tiebreakers to win the match or even lose, the Bermuda duo steadied their play and closed out the match by a score of 4-1, 5-3.
The final challenge is to qualify in first position. Bermuda will meet the Bahamas in the final match today [Aug 29] to decide the number one and two positions. Third and fourth positions will be decided between Jamaica and Curacao.
