Andrew Bicknell

Two of Jamaica's budding tennis stars, Andrew Bicknell and Sheann Kameka, won singles titles in two different age groups on Sunday, as the curtain came down on the Sagicor Bank All Jamaica Junior Tennis Championship, which took place at the Eric Bell Tennis Centre.

Fifteen-year-old Bicknell won the Boys' 18 and under and 16 and under titles, while 14-year-old Kameka, won the Girls' 16 and under and 14 and under titles. Michaelann Denton also won two titles. She came out on top in the Girls' 18 and under singles, then teamed with Francessa Chin to take the Girls' Open doubles title.

two victories

Close to 150 entries were received for the tournament and competition was fierce throughout, as boys and girls fought for titles and Tennis Jamaica ratings points in the various age groupings. Bicknell, who successfully defended his 18 and under title, had to work hard for his two victories.

In the 18 and under finals he came up against Maiz Sinclair who pushed him all the way in a first set that could have gone either way. It was very competitive and both young players gave of their best. Bicknell, however, was able to keep his composure and ended up the winner 7-6 after a tie break. The loss of the first set took its toll on Sinclair, and Bicknell used deft placements and the judicious use of power tennis to take the second set 6-2.

In the 16 and under, he breezed through the first set against Luke Therren 6-1 and seemed set for an easy victory. Therren raised his game in the second set, however, and stormed to a 4-1 lead. At this stage of the game, Bicknell fought back doggedly, turned the tide, and went on to take that set 6-4.

It was smooth sailing for the promising Kameka in both her finals. She defeated Jenna Harrison 6-0, 6-1 in the 14 and under finals then took care of Michela Stephens 6-3, 6-1, in the 16 and under finals.

In one of the highlights of the tournament, Denton had to call on all her skills to defeat the always aggressive, never-say-die Shelita Haughton in a thrill-packed encounter.