The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

FIVE Bahamians competed over the weekend in the Lil Mo International Open Tennis Tournament at the PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Ryan Fox, a nine-year-old student of St Andrew’s, played in the quarterfinal of the consolations of the boys 9s green dot balls. He won his match 6-3, 6-2, 10-5 over Santiago Duque from Colombia.

Also 12-year-old Andrew Cole Maura, who attends Lyford Cay School, won his first round match in the boys 12s yellow ball 6-4, 4-6, 15-13, but he was eliminated by Canadian No.5 seed Alberto Vergara 6-3, 6-3 in his quarterfinal match.

Daniel Clivio, playing in the boys 8s quarterfinals green dot balls, lost 6-1, 6-1 to top seed Felipe Pinzon from Colombia. Clivio, a seven-year-old student from St Andrew’s, won his first round match against American Carson Carejo 2-6, 6-3, 15-13.

Jacobi Bain, playing in the boys 9s quarterfinal yellow balls, won his first round match 6-2, 6-1 over American Abraar Lgbal. Bain, a nine-year-old student of St Anne’s Primary School, suffered a 6-3, 6-1 defeat at the hands of Canadian top seed David Gauberg.

And Emma Weech, playing in the girls 9s semi-final green dot balls, dropped a 6-2, 7-5 decision to American top seed Lindsay Zink. Weech, a nine-year-old student of St Andrew’s, took care of her first round match with a 6-0, 6-1 win over American Victoria Garcia.

In addition to playing their singles earlier in the day on Sunday, the five players were also playing in doubles competition. However, no results were available.

But Bradley Bain, who is accompanying the players as a coach, said he was impressed with the way they are handling themselves.

“I think the performances were great. These are some of the best kids in the US in their age group, but as you advance, it gets tougher,” Bain said. “They are playing against some really good kids both from the US and the rest of the world. So once you get past the first round match, it gets tougher.

“I can say that we are handling the competition very well and for all of them with the exception of Jacobi, this is the first time that they are playing at this level. So for someone like Daniel to advance all the way to the quarterfinal is good. Emma, playing in her first one, got to the semifinal, although the draw isn’t that big and she lost to the number one seed. So they are holding their own.”

As the coach, Bani said they have exceeded his expectations and he is looking forward to seeing how well they do in the doubles.

While the other players will be returning home at the end of the tournament, Bain said his son Jacobi will be staying in Florida to participate in the Junior Orange Bowl over the weekend. Bain will also be coaching two players from Curacao, Nagit Wallie in the under-14 qualifying round and Mandeco Wallie, who will be in the main draw of the girls 12s.

“Jacobi will be one of the youngest competitors in the main draw of the boys 12s,” his father said. “He’s only nine and this is 12-and-under. He will be playing against the best in the world, so this will be a test and an eye opener for him to see where he’s at in his game.”