X- Cel Tennis Academy players show promise at first major outing

The six players who represented the X- Cel Tennis Academy at their first outing in the Coca Cola International Tennis Federation (ITF) junior tournament which was staged in St Lucia recently, earned themselves COTEC rankings.{{more}}

Taj Ballantyne in the 18’s draw qualifing round defeated St Lucian Mac Thyrvaal Girard 6-1,6-2, but fell to Simon Lewis of Barbados 6-1,6-0.

Ballantyne then teamed up with Girard, but they lost their doubles first round match 6-1, 6-1.

The doubles pair of twin sisters Amarlia and Gabrielle Benn won their Under- 14 doubles 7-5,6-0, defeating the Trinidad and Tobago duo of Candace Cook and Anya King.

In the singles draw, Alexis Humphrey gave number one seed Sierra Donaldson of Bahamas a run for her money, but was unable to close out her double match points 6-2, 2-6, 7-5.

Meanwhile, Anastacia White lost to Anya King 6-0,6-2, while Amarlia Benn lost to Candace Cook 6-3,6-3. Gabrielle Benn lost in the semi-final to Candace Cook 7-5,6-1.

And, Miguel Francis, the only Boys 14 representative, was able to take the consolation final and also get to the quarter- final in the doubles with his St Lucian partner Reyhan Jean.

Francis and Jean got past Dominican Mauricio Burton and Niall Ashworth 6-2,1-6,(10-1).

Head of the X- Cel Tennis Academy Samantha Goodluck expressed satisfaction with the performance of the six junior players.

“I would like to thank my other coach from X-cel Tennis Academy Kebakjah King for his great work. We would take this time to also congratulate all the players from the academy who won trophies in the Milo summer tournament held at the Grassroot Tennis Centre earlier this month,” Goodluck said.

She urged the players to keep both their tennis and academics up, as they go hand in hand in attaining scholarships to overseas colleges and university, namely in the United States of America.

Goodluck also thanked those who contributed to making the St Lucia trip a reality.(RT)