Smith takes RBC Junior Tennis U-10 crown

YESHOWAH Smith, son of Diego Martin Central MP Darryl Smith, exacted revenge on number one seed Adam Wyatt to win the RBC Junior Tennis U-10 final at the Country Club, Maraval, yesterday. It was a see-saw affair with Smith taking the opening set 5-4 and Wyatt storming back 0-4 in the second set to level the contest.

Smith still had a lot in the tank and smashed Wyatt in the super tie breaker 10-2 to secure the title and complete a rare victory over Wyatt.

Smith was looking for a double crown after reaching the final of the Under 10 doubles tournament with partner Rizwan Mohammed, but lost to Liev Khan and Wyatt 2-4, 4-1, 10-6.

Smith told Newsday he was pleased with his tournament and expressed gratitude to his coaches.

“I felt really happy that I won in the tournament. I feel really proud of myself,” Smith said, “I felt I could have done better in the doubles but I was very happy about the singles tournament and beating Wyatt. I was really proud to beat him because he always beats me and I finally get some revenge. I felt as though I did well in my last two matches in the Under 10 category.”

Smith, 10, turns 11 on January 15.

Proud father Darryl Smith thanked manager Jean Merry and her team for continuing a more than four-decade tradition in supporting local tennis.

“RBC is one of the oldest sponsors for tennis,” the elder Smith noted, “It is a good way to close off the year and it is fun. Right now I am just proud of my son in his last under 10 tournament.”

Fatima Form Two student Luca Shamsi, 13, beat Shae Millington in two sets 6-4, 6-2 to grab the under 16 title. A confident Shamsi said the tournament gave a great boost to his development.

“I love the sponsor RBC because they hosted a great tournament,” Shamsi said. “I did well last year so I was happy to do even better this year. All the referees were great and all the officials worked hard to finish today despite the bad weather. My match against Millington was hard-fought. I didn’t do so well at the start but I was able to rally at the end.”

In the girls under 16 division, Aalisha Alexis won the title against Maria Honore 6-2, 6-3. In the boys under 14 final, Jamal Alexis beat Sebastian Byng in a super tie-breaker 5-7, 6-4, 10-7. In the girls under 14 final, Ella Carrington showed why she was the top seed, edging Charlotte Ready 6-4, 5-7, 10-8 in a thrilling match-up. In the boys under 12 final, Zachery Byng lost 4-1, 4-1 to Kale Dalla Costa.