Joshua Kalekyezi on Saturday continued his supremacy on the court for a third successive day, qualifying for the finals in the boys under 14 and 18 categories of the Sheltez/ Homesafe Independence Tennis Tournament.
Not only was the 13 year-old outstanding on the court but he created quite a storm when he upset Mark McDonald in the u-18 semi-final which he won 6-3, 6-0 to get things started on a day that was mostly conducive for tennis at the National Racquet Centre.
Action in the second boys u-14 semifinal between Jeremiah Kalekyezi and Viraj Sharma
Joshua followed up his qualification for the u-18 final with another win, this time, in the u-14 semi-final against Nigel Lowe, who was a much easier competitor to surpass. He won that match 6-0 6-1.
Apart from Joshua it was a good day for the Kalekyezi brothers until Jeremiah the younger of the sibling fell to Viraj Sharma 5-4, (7-3), 4-2 in the semifinal of the boys u-14 division. With the win Sharma march into the final, setting up a challenge with Joshua, who will be looking to revenge his brother’s loss next weekend.
Prior to the defeat Jeremiah won against Vadeanand Resaul 5-3 4-1 in the quarterfinals and at that time took the Kalekyezis tally to three wins from as many games. However, he was not as fortunate in his final game of the day.
In the other boys u-18 semifinal Viraj Sharma triumphed over Tyrese Trim 6-0, 6-0 to set up match with Jeremiah in the final. Jeremiah and Viraj will meet in both the u-14 and 18 finals next weekend.
Afruica Gentle and Kalyca Fraser will do battle in the girls’ u-18 final after successes in their respective games against Sarah Klautky and Ciara Pooran. Gentle, who is favoured to win the title defeated Klautky 6-3, 6-0 while Fraser dismissed any threat from Pooran with a 6-3, 6-1 victory.
In the girls u-14 round robin stage Klautky got past Alexis Hopkinson 4-1, 4-0 while Nathalie Ramdyhan beat Akilah Jones 5-3, 4-1.
In the under-10 orange ball category, Recky Ramiscendo defeated Wade Beckles and Raphael Shaw 10-3 and 10-4 respectively in group A.
In group B Elwyn Levius was successful against Alex Johnson (10-2) and Joshua Sandy 10-5 while in groub D, Aakesh Panday trounced Anthony Klein and Max Mayo 10-0 and 10-4 respectively.
In the girls segment, Gabriella Felix lost to Keysha Hardin 10-3 and Malyah Rambarran defeated Ciara Bathija 10-2.
