Simone Vranov-Brown returns with a backhand slice during her match against Fion Fletcher yesterday. - Ian Allen/Photographer

Former national junior Davis Cup representative Simone Vranov-Brown, who now plays for the United States of America, attributes her decision to represent the country of her birth at the senior level, as opposed to that of her father, due to unfulfilled promises.

The 19-year-old, who is currently in the island participating in the Hi-Pro Ace Suprecentre Tennis Open, told Star Sports that she had enjoyed representing Jamaica and wished everything had worked out for her to continue doing so.

"It is not anyone's fault at all, it is just that some promises weren't fulfilled and my primary goal is to play more tennis," Vranov- Brown said.

"The thing is I am struggling right now due to lack of finances for all my training and traveling expenses; most of it comes out of my pocket.

"When I represented Jamaica, all the things that were promised were not fulfilled, but not because they didn't want to," she added.

ambitions

Vranov-Brown, who has ambitions of one day being the top female tennis player in the world, moved a step closer to pocketing the $100,000 being vied for by the participating females after stopping Fion Fletcher of Jamaica (2-0) 6-4, 6-1.

She was happy to have won, but was not totally satisfied with her performance.

"Any win makes you happy, but there are always some things to improve on with your game," Vranov-Brown said after the match which lasted 59 minutes.

"The first set was a little bit off, but in the second set I took more opportunities; although overall I definitely could have done better, but a win is a win in the end," she added.

The other female match which was down to be contested between Stacy Moore and Carlista Mohammed was not played, as the latter did not turn up.

challenge

On the men's side, top seed Damion Johnson easily brushed aside the challenge of Eugene O'Connell (2-0) 6-1, 6-0. Number two seed Devin Mullings out of The Bahamas stopped Jamaica's Winfried Weinbeer (2-0) 6-2, 6-0. It was an identical win for number three seed Brandon Burke over Horatio Ludford (6-2, 6-0).

In the family affair, number four seed Dwayne Pagon overcame a serious case of cramp to defeat his nephew Dominic Pagon (2-1) 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.

Macoy Malcolm, who is seeded at number five, got by Stephen Steele (2-0) 6-2, 6-2. The number six seed Davian Burrell suffered an upset after going down (2-0) 7-6 (3), 6-3 to Dane Vernon.

Christopher Lawson turned back Mel Spence (2-0) to move a step closer to the $500,000 prize money on offer for the men. While top junior player Daniel Harris gave a good account of himself, but fell to eighth seed Nicholas Malcolm (2-0) 6-2, 7-6 (5).