Youngsters book quarterfinal spots

ROAD TENNIS’ FUTURE IS ALREADY HERE.

Two teenagers and an 11-year-old prodigy are among the eight players remaining in the Hope for the Ghetto road tennis competition.
When the smoke cleared following the final matches of the round of 16 last night at the London Bourne Towers’ hard court, 17-year-old Tyrease Holder, 16-year-old Azarie Clarke and the pint-sized former primary school champion Kenoja Belgrave had all qualified for Saturday’s quarterfinals.
Holder, who has been in impressive form throughout the competition, wasted little time in dispatching and arresting BDF soldier Terry Smith in straight sets 21-16, 23-21, while 11-year-old Belgrave put Deryck ‘Prime Minister’ Clarke out of office with a 21-14, 22-20 victory.
Also progressing to the final eight are Ashton Blackett and Dale ‘Dick’ Johnson.
Blackett ended the surprising run of James W Small by defeating him 23-21, 21-16, while in the lone match to go the distance last night, Johnson showed grit and determination to come from a set down to overcome the teenage Ahijah Blunt, 19-21, 21-13, 21-19.
Clarke had earlier booked his quarter-final spot on Tuesday night with a 21-15, 24-22, victory over Jaden Mayers.
Also into the last eight are Dwaine Hope who edged Seth Best 21-19, 23-21; Jason ‘Pipey’ Parris who defeated Lloyd ‘Dickman’ Burke 21-17, 22-20 and Trevor Nurse who conquered Raheem Nurse 21-18, 14-21, 21-17.
In Saturday’s quarterfinals which will be played at the Deighton ‘Pa’ Roach Road Tennis Facility in Bush Hall, Blackett will take on Belgrave, Johnson will come up against Clarke, Ifill will battle Holder and in the nightcap game, Parris will face off against Hope.
(RB)