TT players star in IBM tennis

WINNINGTON GRAZETTE, Yolande Leacock and Olivia Bennett were all in winners’ row as the IBM-sponsored International Tennis Federation (ITF) Junior Circuit Tennis Tournament served off at the Jean Pierre Sports Complex, Mucurapo yesterday. Grazette won his Boys’ Under-18 clash against fellow Trinidadian Blair Burris 6-3, 6-0 while, in the Girls Under-18 division, Leacock trounced countrywoman Jeneice Ward 6-1, 6-0; and Bennett thrashed Austria’s Katja Pachler 6-0, 6-1.

Two other Trinidadian players advanced to the second round of play, with Jerome Ward knocking off Ricardo Velazquez in a three-set battle 6-2, 1-6, 6-1; and Shenelle Mohammed breezing past fellow Trini Deidre Richardson 6-1, 6-0. Eight local representatives were eliminated in the first round, with Michael Motyka of Slovakia whipping Matthew De Gannes 6-0, 6-1 while American Jordan Jaramillo hammered Ethan Archie 6-0, 6-0.

Among the Girls Under-18s, Edwina Stewart of Great Britain turned back Tonya Huggins-Vire 6-4, 6-0, Ann Sophie Fankham of France crushed Diandra Roach 6-0, 6-0 while another Frenchwoman Charlotte Douwma eased past Amunu Adogwa 6-0, 6-1. American Missy Clayton made light work of Renee Branker, defeating the TT lass 6-3, 6-1, while fellow American Jenny Lewellen whipped Dayna Grazette 6-2, 6-1 and Andrea Brenes of Costa Rica eliminated Sanian Lewis 6-1, 6-2.

Other Results —
Boys Under-18: Ryan Sweeting (Bahamas) bt Adam Wright (USA) 6-1, 6-1; Boris Fetbroyt (USA) bt Peter Kazianschuetz (Austria) 6-0, 6-3; Weston Wendt (USA) bt Josh Johnson (USA) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3; Kevin Colin (France) bt Nuno Sa (Portugal) 3-6, 6-4, 7-5; Jean Yves Aubone (USA) bt Miguel Barrero (Spain) 6-1, 6-0; Alex Clayton (USA) bt Peter Luck (USA) 6-3, 6-4; Anderson Edwards (Great Britain) bt Trey Van Buskirk (USA) 6-2, 6-4; Timon Prosper (Great Britain) bt Jeff Kim (USA) 6-2, 6-2; Corey Huggins (St Vincent) bt Benjamin Chapman (Great Britain) 6-0, 6-1; Gustavo Carvalho (Brazil) bt David Fowler (Barbados) 6-3, 7-6 (7-1); Chad Mitchell (Great Britain) bt Peter Czajka (USA) 6-1, 6-1; Phillip Bester (Canada) bt Mica Koll (Cayman Islands) 6-0, 6-2.
Girls Under-18: Nicola Moore (Ireland) bt Malissa McCollin (Barbados) 6-4, 6-3; Bhavani Tirumurti (USA) bt Karolien Nelissen (Belgium) 4-6, 6-2, 6-3; Victorie Ayala (USA) bt Allison Fick (USA) 6-3, 6-4; Laurie Anciaux (Belgium) bt Natally Harry (St Vincent) 6-0, 6-2; Aurore Ughetto (France) bt Michelle Greene (USA) 6-0, 6-1.

Today’s Matches —
Girls U-18: Victorie Ayala (USA) vs Marianne Eelens (Aruba); Liana Park (Great Britain) vs Olivia Bennett (TT); Nicola Moore (Ireland) vs Jo-Ann Van Aerde (Suriname); Adrienne Duenas (USA) vs Bhavani Tirumurti (USA); Ann Sophie Fankam (France) vs Laura Marin (TT); Edwina Stewart (Great Britain) vs Catriona Stewart (Great Britain); Alanna Rodgers (Bahamas) vs Shenelle Mohammed (TT); Manijee Ashrafi (Puerto Rico) vs Yolande Leacock (TT); Laurie Anciaux (Belgium) vs Latrell Reed (USA); Charlotte Douwma (France) vs Melissa Percy (Great Britain); Jenny Lewellen (USA) vs Christy Striplin (USA); Ekaterina Rybakov (Russia) vs Missy Clayton (USA); Aurore Ughetto (France) vs Anna Novo (Venezuela).