Marcano starts hot at National Junior Championships

In what is the biggest draw in the history of the tournament, players competed fiercely for spots in the next rounds.

Reece Marcano from Shuttleforce, the number one seed in the Under 15 Boys age group and the nominee for the First Citizens Bank Sports Foundation’s Junior Sportsman of the Year, did not disappoint as he swept aside his opponent to register a 21-8 21-4 win in the second round and will take on Reval Jagessar in the quarterfinals. Other players advancing to the quarterfinal round include Justin Samaroo, Caesar Edwards, Jae Marc Tagallie, Donovan David, Daniel Lewis and Zion St Rose.

In the Under 11 Boys category, seeded players in the top half of the draw struggled as both Andrew Babwah and Tad Isaac fell to newcomers Nadav Singh and Aditya Maharaj, who will meet each other in the first semi-final.

Seeded players in the bottom half of the draw however held their nerve as Number two seed, Jace Smith and third/fourth seed Jamahi Mason made it safely through the draw and will meet each other in the second semi-finals.

Three of the four semi-final births were decided in the Girls Under 11 category with all of the seeded players advancing to the semi-final. Amara Urquhart from CBAC and Yelena Lewis from FMT will square off against each other while T’Shelle Barnes awaits the winner of the match between Kaylee Noel and the number two seed Nicha Fraser.

Boys Doubles Under 11 action got underway with Nadav Sindh and Jamahi Mason advancing to the next round.

The number one and two seeds in the Boys Singles Under 13 category, Travis Sinanan and James Babwah were given byes in the first round, joining Nicholi Marcano, Seth Mollah, Samuel Lewis and Tyrell La Morelle in the quarterfinals.

Two matches went the distance with Asa Dass defeating Godrian Jones 14-21 21-19 21-12 and Kye Isaac overcoming Jashaun Auguste 21-18 17-21 21-15. Only three matches were played in the Girls Singles Under 13 category as other players received byes to the quarterfinal round. Defending champion Danae Boodoosingh will start the defence of her title on Saturday as she meets Nicha Fraser in the quarterfinal round.

There were no surprises in the Boys Singles Under 17 competition as all seeds, led by Number one Vance Juteram, advanced to the next round. He is on course to meet number two seed in the opposite side of the draw, Leon Cassie.

Only one of the seeded players in the Girls side of the draw was in action yesterday with Waynetta Thomas taking care of Maryam Mohammed, 21-10 21-10. She will be joined by Sandya Cassie, Britney Lewis and Chequeda De Boulet who all received byes in the first round. In the lone Boys Singles Under 19 match, Jason Maloney defeated Jamie Narine 21-14 21-18.

Finals will be held on Saturday at the same venue with keen competition expected from all age groups.