Barbados into BJK Play-Off

Barbados have romped through group play in the Billie Jean King Cup, and are now set to play El Salvador on Saturday, August 10 for the Americas III Promotional Play-Off.

Barbados defeated the Bahamas 3-0 in Pool A play at the National Racquet Centre in Tacarigua, Trinidad & Tobago on Thursday to remain unbeaten.

Serena Bryan overcame a first-set deficit of 5-7 against Sydney-Nichole Clarke, winning the next two sets 6-3, 7-5. Gabrielle- Leslie also went down a set, 2-6 to Simone Pratt. But she, too, overcame her Bahamian opponent, going 6-4, 6-4 in the next two sets.

Hannah Chambers and Cherise Slocombe made it three in three for come-from-behind wins. They allowed Sydney-Nichole Clarke and Danielle Thompson a 4-6 win in the opening set, earned a hard-fought 7-7 (10-8) win in the second, then dominated their opponents 10-3 in the third.

The trend continued on Friday, as Serena Bryan spotted Jordane Dookie of Trinidad & Tobago a 0-6 win in the opening set. But Bryan was not to be denied, winning the next two sets 6-4, 6-4.

Gabrielle Leslie breezed past Yolande Leacock in straight sets, 6-1, 6-3. With the tie won, Barbados gave up the doubles in straight sets, Hannah Chambers and Cherise Slocombe losing 3-6, 2-6 to Jordane Dookie and Anneliese Rose.

Barbados has played 74 ties since first entering the tournament in 1993. Williams now has the most singles wins ever for Barbados, with a 5-4 record. Chambers has the most total wins, boasting a 12-18 mark all-time. And Barbados’ most experienced player, Slocombe has the most doubles wins for Barbados, going 9-10 after having played 20 in six years.

Ranked 92, Barbados will take on 83rd-ranked El Salvador in the Play-Offs this weekend. In group play, El Salvador lost to Costa Rica (0-3), but defeated Bermuda, Aruba, and Saint Lucia, taking 3-0 victories each time.

The top two nations in Americas Group III will be promoted to Americas Group II. Competing nations include Aruba, Antigua & Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago.

The Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge is the premier international team competition in women’s tennis, launched as the Federation Cup in 1963 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the International Tennis Federation.

(TF)