Shortly after competing in the local Guyana’s premier lawn tennis tournament, the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) Independence Jubilee Open, 19 junior players left Guyana’s shor
Jordan Beaton
es for Jamaica to participate in the Blue Mountain and subsequent ITF Junior under 14 circuit tournaments.
Eight athletes remained for the Under 14 Tournament. Heimraj Resaul and Jordan Beaton both of Marian Academy Secondary played their best tennis to win the Boys Doubles title in straight sets 6-4, 6-2 against the Jamaica and Antigua’s top seed duo, Damani King and Aron Fields. The match was highly anticipated by spectators who followed the Guyanese team after both Resaul and Beaton were ousted in the singles semi-finals to King and Fields, respectively. Damani King defeated Heimraj Resaul 6-7, 6-2, 6-3 and Aron Fields defeated Jordan Beaton 6-1, 6-3. In the finals King defeated Fields 7-5, 6-1 to take the title.
The doubles finals commenced with King/Fields opting to receive after winning the toss. Guyana’s Resaul/Beaton duo forced a quick lead holding and breaking service to command at 2-0. King/Fields set foot on the score board after breaking service to tread behind at 1-2. Resaul/Beaton broke their opponents serve to maintain dominance at 3-1. Unshaken by Guyana’s move, King/Fields fought to break serve, to trail at 2-3. The atmosphere of the games changed after Resaul/Beaton broke serve to 4-2, with King/Fields positing a two game streak by breaking and holding service to cement the first tie in games at 4-4. Beaton’s command at the baseline matched with Resaul’s volley techniques propelled the Guyana duo to capture the first set at 6-4.
From the onset of the second set, the Resaul/Beaton pair were clearly focused and determined on securing a victory. They proceeded to hold serve in the first game. King/Fields relentlessly even games to 1-1 by holding serve as well, something that was fairly unfamiliar in the match as it was only seen at 4-4 in first set. Resaul/Beaton powered through to a two game leap after maintaining a grip on service and breaking serve to lead their rivals at 3-1. The move, which had seemed to stun King/Field, minutely backfired as Resaul/Beaton loss their service game, allowing their opponents to edge closer to score at 2-3.
Nevertheless, the potency of Beaton’s groundstroke, coupled with Resaul’s agility at the net allowed the Guyanese pair to pounce on their opponents’ weaknesses to enjoy a resounding three game gallop to triumph. Beaton/Resaul were crowned champions at 6-4, 6-2.
After the match, the Guyanese pair lamented that it was a real test of their mental strength to pull through the first set having been defeated in the singles semis but they played not just for themselves, but to make Guyana proud. The two have been developing a strong partnership for years and it is highly anticipated that they will become national doubles champions in the near future.
For now their focus is on the upcoming IGG for tennis which will be held in French Guiana during October 27-November 1. Since there is no facility where the IGG team can start intensive training for the tournament, they will train within their club schedules with their coach Shelly Daly-Ramdyhan. The countries that will participate in the IGG are Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and Martinique.
Results of other local players at the tournament are below:
U14 Singles Main Draw Quarterfinals: Aron Fields def Vijay Sharma 6-0, 6-0. Damani King def Joshua Kalekyezi 6-1, 6-2. Boys U14 Doubles: J. Kalekyezi/ Viraj Sharma (GUY) def R. Fairman/C. McNair (JAM) 6-2, 6-0. D. King/A. Fields (JAM/TRI) def J. Kalekyezi/Sharma (GUY) 6-2, 6-0
D. Kalekyezi/N. Lowe (GUY) def E. Nwokolo /D. Reeves (JAM/TRI) w/o
Boys U14 Doubles Semi-finals:. D. King/A. Fields (JAM/TRI) def J. Kalekyezi/Viraj Sharma (GUY) 6-1, 6-0. Boys U14 Consolation Singles finals: Viraj Sharma (GUY) def D. Kalekyezi (GUY).
