Locals line up for tough challenge

Jamaica's top juniors will look to prove their mettle against players from across the globe when the toughest tournament on the local tennis calendar, the ITF Jamaica Junior Tournament, serves off at the Eric Bell Tennis Centre today.

Despite the majority of the local talent falling by the wayside in the weekend's qualifying play-offs - over seven in the boys' singles draw - some juniors will still have a chance to shine as they have been given wildcard-entries into the event.

In the boys' Under-18 category, Jamaica will pin their hopes of success on young Brandon Burke, who not only dominated the recently concluded Pan Caribbean Jamaica Junior Championships, but has had credible results in a number of ITF tournaments prior to that.

Joining Burke in the main draw will be Macoy Malcolm, Davian Burrell and Javiar Mullings.

Simone Vranov Brown, who was also crowned Pan Caribbean Jamaica junior girls champion, will lead the charge in the girls 18 category, while her younger sister, Lauren, will be looking for a good showing, having lost out in the Pan Caribbean Championships.

Impressive showing

Joining the Brown sisters in the main draw will be Shantal Blackwood, Monique Hanson and Sicquena Sinclair, who had an impressive showing in the Pan Caribbean tournament when she dethroned Brown for the girls Under-16 title.

In qualifying games concluded yesterday, Chile's Crescente Lesser defeated Yuta Hirokaya of Japan 7-6, 6-1, Daneaiil Sirota of Russia defeated Vaugh Wilson of Trinidad and Tobago 6-2, 6-2, Seanon Williams of Barbados beat Ondre Cargill of the Bahamas 6-3, 7-5 and Garick Yedigarian (USA) got by Ibian Hodgson of Aruba 6-2, 6-1.

- K. Mugisa