Binnie shines in Canada

Keisha Hill, Staff Reporter

YOUNG JAMAICAN squash star Chris Binnie made it all the way to the final of the Canadian Junior Open in Niagara-on-the Lake, Ontario earlier this week.

Binnie, recently crowned the All-Jamaica men's Senior champion, reached the final in the Under-19 category with a 9-2, 2-9, 9-3, 9-2 victory over Ryan Herden of Canada in the semi-finals.

In the quarter-finals, Binnie defeated Mexican Jonathon Ramos in straight sets. Unfortunately, his successful run ended when he went down in three sets to Shannon Kelly of Canada in the final.

Tough competition

Binnie's compatriots, Brooke Burrowes, the Under-17 and 19 girls national champion, and Leisa Robotham, the No. 2 ranked Jamaican Under-19 girl, came up against tough competition but nonetheless were relatively successful in their events at the tournament held at the White Oaks Fitness and Racquet Club.

Burrowes reached the semi-finals in the Under-17 bronze event where she went down to local Bridget Tousignant. Burrowes lost the first two sets, 0-9, 1-9, before regrouping in the third to win 9-2. However, she lost that momentum in the fourth set and was beaten 9-1.

Robotham fell out of the competition when she lost in the semi-finals of the Under-19 bronze event.

The Jamaican trio now heads off to the U.S. Junior Open in Hartford, Connecticut, which starts on Saturday.