Russell solid as BNS Top 16 begins

Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

Florida-based David Russell easily advanced to the second round of the BNS Top 16 Tennis Tournament, when he swept by Andre Burrell 6-2, 6-0 as the competition, which will be used as a qualifier to this year's Davis Cup, served off at the Liguanea Club yesterday.

Despite some early pressure from Burrell, who looked poised to put up a challenge in the early stages of the match, Russell held his nerve to secure a crucial break in the fifth game of the first set.

From there, things seemed to go downhill rapidly for Burrell, who was broken again before totally falling apart in a final set littered with several unforced errors.

Heavy hitters

In another encounter, Winifred Weinbeer won the battle of the heavy hitters, coming from behind to register a 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 victory over Marcus Malcolm.

Weinbeer, after being forced into several errors by Malcolm who controlled the first set by getting the better of his opponent with several passing shots at the net, fought back valiantly after almost being eliminated deep into the second set.

A focused Weinbeer was then the picture of concentration as he stretched his opponent all over the court in the final set.

Experience

On court three, Dwayne Pagon used his experience to eventually outplay a powerfully-built Kirk Bowland 6-3, 6-7, 6-4.

The competition will continue at the Liguanea Club today, beginning at 10:00 this morning.

Top-seed Damion Johnson and second seed Dominic Pagon are expected to bow into action today.

The Davis Cup will take place in Honduras from July 14-20.