The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WHILE she was appreciative of the executive board of the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association for affording her the opportunity to represent the Bahamas as the player/captain of the talented and tenacious Fed Cup team, Larikah Russell said she couldn’t ask for a better performance so far from players Simone Pratt, Kerrie Cartwright and Danielle Thompson.

The team has gotten off to a tantalising start, having won their first three matches played in Group B of the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Americas Group II at the Maya Country Tennis Club in Santa Tecla, El Salvador. The Bahamas’ latest victims were Costa Rica.

On Thursday, Cartwright swept her opponent 6-1, 6-3, while Pratt prevailed 6-1, 7-6 (3) in her singles. In doubles, Cartwright came back to team up with Russell to easily win 6-0, 6-0. The victory came after the Bahamas blanked Uruguay 3-0 on Wednesday. The Bahamas opened play on Tuesday with a 2-1 decision over Trinidad & Tobago.

“The team is playing phenomenal tennis. We are extremely confident and motivated each and everyday to go out there and represent our country, family and ourselves with great class,” Russell said. “I am really proud of the ladies because they are handling the big stage with great poise, and we are enjoying every moment.

“We know that only a few people get this privilege to represent there country in this capacity, so we are indeed grateful for this opportunity.”

Russell, who previously played as the top seed on the team, said the performances so far have more than surpassed her expectations.

“In all actuality, the performances have been more than I expected. This team has a tremendous mix of talent and to watch it all unfold on the court is a total pleasure to watch. What I am most impressed with is the support the ladies are giving to each other and the great team unity being displayed.

“From the captain’s perspective, I must include that it is so exciting to watch the girls grow mentally, physically, and spiritually. Now from a player’s view, I just want to say how thankful and honoured I am to be a part of this super-excellent team.”

Looking at the competition they’ve faced so far, Russell said the Bahamas is definitely holding its own.

“The competition has been very sturdy thus far. We have been pushed from the beginning of the competition, but we have been sticking to our game plans, showing great toughness and displaying extraordinary resilience,” she said.

As the tie continues, Russell is confident that if they apply the same level of competitiveness, they should be successful at the end of the weekend.

“Everyday, we have been getting better and better, so from here on in I expect to see even greater tennis displayed,” she stated. “Not to sound arrogant, but I am sorry for the teams that we have to face here on in because we are extremely confident and highly motivated to win this event.

“But all in all we are continuing to stay humble and we are not taking any teams for granted. We are enjoying the camaraderie and embracing every opportunity as we take it one day at a time.”

Going into El Salvador as a first time player and captain, one would think that the players had to make some adjustments. But Russell said it was quite the opposite.

“Actually I did not have to make any adjustments at all,” she said. “If there comes a time when an adjustment needs to be made I know I will have the support and trust of my teammates.”

Like they say, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

The Bahamas has two more matches left against the Dominican Republic and host El Salvador. At the end of the tie, the winner of pool, along with the winner of pool A, will be promoted to Americas Zone Group I in 2014.