The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

Teenagers Joshua Turnquest and Shannon Francis, fresh off their appearances in the IC North American 16-and-under Junior Challenge, pulled off victories in three of the six scheduled matches played in the men’s qualifying round of the Giorgio Baldacci Battle of the Elite Players Tournament at the National Tennis Centre on Tuesday.

Turnquest, who played as the No.1 seed on the Bahamas team that finished in last place at the three-day junior tournament that wrapped up on Monday, whitewashed Anthony Burrows 6-0, 6-0, while the junior No.2 seed Francis had to go the distance before he prevailed with an identical 6-2, 6-2 triumph over Breon Saunders.

The only other matched played in the final event on the year for the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association saw collegian Kevaughn Ferguson holding off Oneal Mortimer, who played doubles on the final day of the IC Tournament with Francis. Ferguson secured a hard fought 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 decision.

Today, Turnquest, Francis and Ferguson join Dirnaj Saunders, Edward Symonette and Jyles Turnquest, who all won by default, in the main draw. Both Ceron Rolle and Robert Lightbourne also got into the main draw by virtue of getting a bye in the qualifying round. They will be matched up against the top eight ranked players, led by Devin Mullings, and including Kevin Major Jr, Jamal Adderley, Marvin Rolle, Justin Lunn, Rodney Carey Jr, Jody Turnquest and William Fountain.

The single elimination main draw is scheduled to start 9am today and run through Saturday. (SEE THE FULL SCHEDULE ON E3)

The BLTA is hoping to use the tournament to view those potential players for the men’s Davis Cup team that will travel to compete in the Americans Zone III June 2-7 at the Palmas Athletic Club in Humacao, Puerto Rico, and the Fed Cup for women that will travel to Lambare, Paraguay, February 5-8.

Whether or not they are successful in winning a match in the main draw, both Turnquest and Francis are just excited to still be alive.

“It was a great experience playing in the IC Tournament. I got a chance to play against some top ranked junior players in the world,” said the 14-year-old Turnquest. “Now I’m looking forward to playing in this tournament. I know that the competition is going to be good. I hope to do my best.”

Francis, 16, noted: “I was pleased with the way I played. I think I could have played better in the second set because I started to lose focus after the rain came down. But I got back into it and I was able to pick it up again. I haven’t played against any of these players from the Bahamas in a while, so the tournament over the weekend helped me to get ready for this one. I expect some good things in this tournament.”

For Ferguson, 19, it wasn’t his best, but he will take the victory anyhow.

“It was long, but I pulled it out so I’m happy,” said Ferguson, who attends Missouri Valley College. “For the main draw, I just expect to go out there and play my best and hopefully I can come out with another victory.”

Although he lost, Mortimer said he wasn’t disappointed at all.

“I think I played good. I played in a higher age group, but I think I played my best,” said Mortimer, who was thrilled to have played in the qualifying round.