The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

Peyton Anderson got some revenge on Gabrielle Simms to secure her berth into the final of the girls’ under-16 division of the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association’s Junior Nationals at the National Tennis Centre.

The tournament, sponsored by the Byron Ferguson Foundation, which has been set to keep the memory of the former player/coach who went missing in his plane crash from West Palm Beach, Florida, to the Bahamas last November, wraps up today with the finals starting at 9am.

After losing in two sets in the semi-final of the girls’ under-18 singles, Anderson had to dig down deep to come from behind for a 4-6, 6-2, 10-8 decision over Simms in the 18s semi-finals yesterday. It was probably one of the most competitive matches played so far.

“Gabi is a very good opponent, so I knew it was going to be a challenge, but I was ready for it,” said Anderson, who is home for the summer from high school in Miami, Florida.

Simms, the 16-year-old Grand Bahamian, managed to get a break in the first set to go up 4-3. They both broke each other and then Simms held out on serve for the initial 1-0 lead.

In the second set, Anderson got a pair of breaks at 1-1 and 3-1 and eventually the final game for the equaliser. That set up the tiebreaker where Anderson pulled away from a 7-7 score to claim the victory.

“In the second set, I was able to find my game and closed it out,” Anderson said. “But the tiebreaker was even more intense. Both of us wanted it, but I was able to find my game and got the win.”

Anderson, 15, will now go on to play unseeded Kirza Johnson in the final today. Johnson, 15, advanced to the final with a 6-2, 6-0 decision over Perjae Major. “I know it’s going to be another challenge,” Anderson said of the showdown against Johnson. “I am expected to win, but I know I will have to play very hard in order for me to win because she won’t be a pushover.”

The other half of another final set was played between No.2 seed Denali Nottage and Dentry Mortimer Jr in the boys’ under-16 semis. Nottage won 6-2, 6-3 to clinch his berth in today’s final against unseeded Michael Major Jr.

Nottage, a student at St George’s High, broke twice at 3-2 and 5-2 and then held serve for the win in the first set. In the second set, Nottage got a break to go up 4-3 and another to complete the game, set and match at 6-3.

“I was nervous at the start,” Nottage said. “But I got over it. I wasn’t able to close out the games when I should. But once I settled down, I got through it.”

Like Major, Nottage will have two appearances in the finals today as he will also take on fellow Grand Bahamian Kofi Bowe, the top seed, in the boys’ 18s. Nottage, the No.2 seed, likes his chances in both matches.

“I played Michael and Kofi before,” he said. “I know it’s going to be a tough match against Michael, but whoever plays the best will come out on top. The same thing in the match against Kofi. But I feel good to be in the two finals. This is my last tournament in the 16s, so I am trying to end it with a win.”

Meanwhile, Major will be in 14s final against Anthony Burrows Jr.

Yesterday, Burrows Jr advanced to the final with a 6-0, 6-0 win over Aidan Miller.

The line-up for the finals, which starts at 9am, are as follows:

Girls’ 10s

Millie Beukes vs Sarai Clarke.

Girls’ 12s

Saphirre Ferguson def. No.2 seed Jalise Clarke 6-0, 6-2 and top seed BreAnn Ferguson won 6-0, 6-1 over Rachel Thompson.

Saphirre and BreAnn Ferguson are cousins and the daughter and niece respectively of patron Byron Ferguson. They met in the quarter-final of the 14s where BreAnn won a marathon 6-3, 5-7, 10-5 thriller over Saphirre.

Girls’ 14s

Top seed Kaylee Kanuka vs No.2 seed Sierra Rodgers.

Girls’ 16s

Top seed Peyton Anderson vs Kinza Johnson.

Girls’ 18s

Top seed Sydney Clarke will defend her title against No.2 seed Gabrielle Simms.

Boys’ 10s

Chase Newbold will face Dionisio Hepburn.

Boys’ 12s

William McCartney will play No.2 seed Aidan Miller.

Boys’ 14s

Top seed Michael Major Jr will play No.2 seed Anthony Burrows Jr.

Boys’ 16s

Michael Major Jr will play No.2 seed Denali Nottage.

Boys’ 18s

Top seed Kofi Bowe vs Denali Nottage.