By BRENT STUBBS
Senior Sports Reporter
bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
AFTER falling short in his first tournament in Trinidad & Tobago last week, Michael Major Jr is back in full swing in his second J60 Tacarigua tournament this week.
In his second gruelling match so far, Major Jr survived against Lucas Castillo Sanchez from Colombia as he won over the number six seed in a 7-6 (15-13) tie breaker that lasted for one hour and 15 minutes before he wrapped up the second set as he rallied from a 5-1 deficit to surge to another tie breaker that he pulled off 7-4.
The performance came after Major Jr battled it out for three hours and 45 minutes against Omar Rhazili for a 2-6, 6-4, 7-5 decision, despite trailing 5-2 in the third and decisive set.
“So far in this tournament, I feel very good. I fought for every point,” Major Jr said. “Yesterday (Monday), I played for nearly four hours and today (Tuesday), I had another three-hour match.
“So it was fought physically, but I stayed tough mentally and I think I executed very well mentally even though I was really tired physically.”
Major Jr, who is preparing to enter college in August a year ahead of his required six years of high school, said these tournaments are a good test of his ability.
“I know I have a tough match ahead of me but I am prepared to go out there and give it my best shot,” said Major Jr, as he looks ahead to the next round today.
“I feel like I am playing well enough to beat anyone. Regardless of what happens, but I am prepared to go all the way.”
Major Jr is in the same position he was in during his first tournament in Trinidad last week when he won his first two matches and lost the third. He’s hoping that history won’t repeat itself this week.
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