TT’s Williams topples No 1 tennis seed

Playing at the National Tennis Centre, No1 seed in the Girls’ Under-18 Division, Yolande Leacock fell to Margarita Edinarova of Russia while her compatriot Olivia Bennett, the No 2 seed, was eliminated by another Rus-sian, 13-year-old Valeriya Solovieva.

Leacock went out 6-3, 6-3 while Bennett, who looked capable of winning the first set, was defeated 7-6 (3), 6-4.

In the Boys’ Division, No 3 seed Yohansey Williams staged a major upset and restored some pride for the Trinidadians as he toppled number one seed Uriel Oquendo of Colombia.

Williams, playing an attacking game that pressured his opponent, won 6-3, 6-4 and will meet Bahamian Jamal Adderley in today’s play-off for the Boys’ Under-18 title.

Adderley was in equally brilliant form in ending the ambitions of Michael Clarke, the fourth Trinidadian in the semi-finals, 6-1, 6-2.

Late in the afternoon, the last hope of the Trinidadian girls making it to an Under-18 final was also dashed as doubles partners Leacock and Bennett were defeated by Giulia Bruzzone of Italy and Edinarova, in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3.

Colombian Oquendo remained in the hunt for at least one title as he teamed with Aruba’s Miguel Muguruza to qualify for the doubles final with a 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 win over Adderley and Barnabas Carrega of Italy.

The finals were played yesterday.

(CMC)