The Tribune

SOME of the Bahamas’ top junior players at the international level continue to represent well at the Junior Fed and Davis Cup events in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

The three-member Junior Fed Cup Team of Sydney Clarke, Sierra Donaldson and Afrika Smith is coached by Bradley Bain, while the Junior Davis Cup team of Donte Armbrister, Kofi Bowe and Yorgos Karageorgiou is coached by Ceron Rolle.

The Junior Fed Cup team started their run for advancement with Donaldson against Chavarria of Costa Rica. After two and-a-half

hours, Donaldson emerged with a 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 win. Sydney Clarke also played well but fell to Adriana Munoz 4-6, 3-6. The duo of Clarke and Donaldson fell to Chavarria 3-6, 6-4, 5-10. They will continue play against Honduras in the next tie.

The Junior Davis Cup team lost their most recent tie to Barbados. Bowe lost to Romani Mayers 2-6 4-6, but Ambrister won over Kyle Frost 6-3, 6-3. In the deciding doubles the Bahamas lost in three sets 6-1, 5-7, 11-9.

In their previous matchups, the Junior Fed Cup was outmatched by the second seeded team Puerto Rico. Smith lost to Lauren Anzalotta 6-1, 6-4. Clarke also lost to Maria Aguiar 6-0 6-1. The duo of Donaldson and Smit was defeated by Aguiar and Bou 6-0, 6-0.

In their opening match, Donaldson defeated Giammattei 6-0, 6-1 and Clarke was victorious over Arevalo 6-1, 6-1 and the duo matchup of Afrika Smith and Sierra Donaldson defeated Arevalo and Giammatei 6-1, 6-1 to earn qualification into the main draw.

Coach Bain said: “The team is really focused and the girls are playing really well. We came here to win the Jr Fed Cup Pre-qualifying Event. We are prepared to play one point at a time, one set at a time and one match at a time to accomplish our mission.”

On the boys’ side, the Junior Davis Cup continues to compete in a pool of 15 countries. The Bahamas has already positioned themselves above countries like Jamaica, Curacao, Bonaire and US Virgin Islands.

In a previous matchup, they were overpowered by the second seeded team from Aruba. Kevin Yazagaray defeated Bowe in two sets 6-0, 6-1. Patrick Sydow defeated Armbrister in the first of three sets 6-1. Armbrister played great and came back to tie it up by winning the second set 6-4 but fell short in the last set 1-6. The duo of Armbrister and Bowe lost to Patrick and Frederick Sydow 6-2, 6-1.