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Youngsters display wares
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Posted on Nov 11 2004
The future of tennis in the Commonwealth was served yesterday at the start of the Northern Mariana Islands Tennis Association’s 2004 Fall Classic Tennis Championships at the American Memorial Park tennis courts.
In all, nine singles matches were finished despite an hour delay brought about by rain showers at the beginning of the tournament.
In the boy’s 14-and-under singles, Bradley Brostrom advanced to the quarterfinals after a 6-2, 6-0 win over Henry Yang. Brostrom was joined in the winners’ circle by Phillip Park, who needed three sets to vanquish Calvin Yang 6-3, 5-7, 6-2.
Russell Buenaventura also won his opening round match against Tyler Yoshimoto, in straight sets no less at the Hyatt Regency Saipan tennis courts. Yoshimoto later confessed that he needs to go back to training to improve his game.
James Camacho, meanwhile, didn’t even have to play single set to advance to next round after a walkover win over Dylan Thorpe.
In lone match in the girl’s 14-and-under singles, Cameron Mosley used her athleticism to upend baseliner Shane Jones 6-1, 6-1. Next up for Mosley, who prepares for a shot like Serena Williams does, is Audrey Motto.
Action in the singles 10-and-under for boys saw Andrew Johnson record a tough 6-3 triumph over Crosby Schultz. The final score didn’t reflect the struggle, as both players fought tooth and nail for each point.
The other match in the age group then saw Cody Race overpower Brian Mailman 6-2. Race used his long reach to overcome the speedy Mailman, who was all over the court.
Both Gabrielle Race and Thea Minor also found success in the first day of the tournament in the girl’s 10-and-under singles. Race had a back-and-forth match against Adele Hudkins but somehow prevailed in a score of 6-3. Minor, for her part, cruised to a 6-0 win over Rachelle Kim.
The NMITA-organized event will resume at 3pm today with players in the boy’s 18-and-under finally seeing time on the court.
The 2004 Fall Classic Tennis Championships is a NMITA Junior Development fundraising event. For more information, please call NMITA president and tournament director Jeff Race at 322-5652 or 483-5652 or e-mail him at race@saipan.com.
