Jones returns from eventful Guam trip

CNMI junior netter Rafael Jones competed in a two-weekend tournament at the Hilton Tennis Courts in Guam and went home with first place and runner-up finishes.

Jones first played in the U16 junior singles division in the 3rd Annual Quality Cup Tennis Tournament organized by the Tennis Academy of Guam. The juniors singles and doubles competitions were played last Oct. 18 and 19.

The 14-year-old Jones ruled the juniors event after downing Li Anran in straight sets, 6-1, 6-1.

Jones advanced to the title match after topping Swami in the semifinals, 6-0, 6-3.

Jones returned to Guam last weekend and joined the men’s 3.0 singles, which drew 12 players from Saipan and Guam.

The Saipan International School student had a bye in the first round and faced CNMI teammate Christian Miller in the quarterfinals. Miller moved into the quarterfinals after beating Chuck Herbale in his first match, 6-1, 6-2.

Bu Jones foiled Miller’s bid to gain a semis entry as the former nailed a 6-4, 7-6 triumph in the quarterfinals.

In the semis, Jones was pitted against Masakazo Takahashi and the CNMI bet continued his winning ways, escaping with a three-set victory, 3-6, 6-1, 6-1.

Jack Chan won in the upper bracket’s semifinal round beating Stanley Rice, 6-4, 6-3, to set up a title duel with Jones.

Jones eventually lost the finals, 6-1, 6-4, which was played only 30 minutes after the CNMI netter teamed up with Miller in the men’s 4.0 doubles semifinals.

Miller and Jones dropped their semis match in the doubles in three sets, 1-6, 6-2, 0-6.

“It was hard playing back-to-back games in a pretty hot weather with only 30 minutes of rest,” said Jones, who used the Guam matches to warm up for next month’s NMITA Fall Classic and for his trip to New Zealand in December.

“Playing in the finals gives me confidence to overcome nervousness. It is really important not to get nervous when playing in crucial games, and when you are used to playing in the finals, somehow, those tensions lessen,” Jones said.

Miller made it to the finals of the U12 boys’ singles, but results of his title match against Christian Penafiel were unavailable at press time. The championship game was played Sunday afternoon.

Miller advanced to the finals after beating Christian Han, 10-0, and Krisnan Penafiel, 6-1 6-1.

Christian Penafiel earned a title match with Miller after defeating former Saipan-based player Ryan Baron in the semis, 6-0, 6-0.

Several CNMI players joined Jones and Miller in the Guam tournament.

Lydia Tan played in the women’s singles and made it into the semifinals after thwarting Migiwa Goodman, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2. But Tan failed to move into the finals after losing to Katie Lai, 0-6, 4-6.

Kennedy and Clayton Izuka participated in the U10 junior singles. Kennedy also joined the men’s 2.0 singles and won his first match against Christian Han.

Chris Park was also victorious in his first game in the men’s 2.0 singles, downing Kevin Lai, 6-2, 6-4.