The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

Coach Bradley Bain liked what he saw from his undefeated boys team at the 2022 North, Central American and Caribbean Under-14 Pre- Qualifying World Junior Tennis tournament in El Salvador.

In their playoff match yesterday against Costa Rica, the team of William McCartney, Jackson Mactaggart and Jerald Carroll prevailed with a 3-0 win to remain undefeated in the week-long tourney.

The girls’ team, coached by Paula Whitfield and comprising of Sarai Clarke, Breann Ferguson and Rachel Thompson, were not as fortunate as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to host El Salvador.

While the boys will prepare to play the Dominican Republic in the semi-finals today and a chance to advance to the championship round on Saturday, the girls will conclude their play in the tournament either in fifth or sixth place depending on the outcome of their match today.

McCartney won the first boys’ single 6-3, 6-1 over Alberto Mora in one hour and 22 minutes and Mactaggart won the second singles 7-6 (3), 6-4 over Julian Garnier in one hour and 48 minutes.

In doubles, McCartney and Carroll took 1hr:06m to post a 6-1, 6-4 win over Mora and Juan Ignacio Bogantes.

“We did really well today,” was how Bain summed up the boys’ performances.

“The boys really stepped it up today. William McCartney played number two singles and won 6-3, 6-1. It got a little challenging for him midway in the first set, but he was able to right the ship and closed out the match.

“In the second singles, Jackson Mactaggart, playing at the number one seed, won 7-6 (3) and 6-4. It was a very good match. It was as little up and down. Jackson got out to an early start, was up 2-0 and got break to give the guy a little confidence, but he fought him all the way to the end. He was down 5-4, but came back and tied it and was down again, but came back to tie it at 6-6 before he won it in the tie breaker.”

After settling down, Bain said Mactaggart jumped out to a quick 4-1 lead on Garnier and he was able to cruise home the rest of the way. “Nine straight matches, nine straight wins, things are looking good,” Bain said.

“We like our chances tomorrow. We’re going to put it all on the line and try and go for the win.”

In the girls’ playoff match, Clarke lost 6-1, 6-3 to Camilia Garcia in 1hr:01m in the first match and Ferguson fell 6-0, 6-2 to Sienna Poma in 1hr:01m as well in her singles match as the top seed.

However, the combo of Clarke and Ferguson were able to win the doubles 1-0 after Garcia and Poma didn’t finish the match. “Our number two seed Sarai Clarke played a very good match, but was overpowered by a stronger opponent,” said coach Whitfield. “She got off to a good start in the second set, mixing slices and drop shots, but could not hold on.”

Whitfield, however, said Ferguson encountered some problems early. And Whitfield said Ferguson “never settled in her match, making many unforced errors on her serves and ground strokes.”

The BLTA, headed by president Perry Newton, congratulated Mactaggart, McCartney, Carroll and coach Bain for their consistency and strong performances in the World Juniors’ pre-qualifier.

The BLTA also noted how pleased they are with the performances of the girls. They noted that the girls’ team distinguished themselves by being the only Caribbean country to advance to the playoffs with three newcomers to this event.

“The boys continue to impress by not giving away any sets to the competition, winning all of their matches. We know both teams will give it all they have to the very end and we are pleased with their efforts.”