By BRENT STUBBS
Senior Sports Reporter
bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
WHILE the men’s team continues to struggle to get back into Zone One of the Davis Cup tie, the women have proven that it’s now their time to shine.
Over the weekend, the Bahamas’ team of player/captain Larikah Russell, Simone Pratt, Kerrie Cartwright and Danielle Thompson dominated pool B of the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Americas Group II tournament in Santa Tecla, El Salvador.
Their clincher came on Saturday against the previously undefeated Dominican Republic when Cartwright won her singles 6-4, 7-5.
Pratt lost her singles 6-0, 7-5, but Russell and Cartwright teamed up to secure the pivotal doubles 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 to seal the deal and the top spot in their pool.
By virtue of winning their pool, the Bahamas joins Ecuador, who won pool A, in getting promoted to Zone One for 2014.
“I am not surprised that we were undefeated. The ladies all stroked the ball extremely well and pretty much dictated and controlled each point, so because of this domination the opponents were helpless,” Russell said. “Our goals was specifically to remain focused on the goal at hand, to stay committed to excellence regardless of the outcome and to display a winning performance.”
The multi-talented Russell, who served for the first time as the team captain, said she was extremely pleased with the team’s performance.
“I am elated about the way Kerrie Cartwright and Simone Pratt played singles. Kerrie really moved the ball well and setting up shots with her massive forehand that she loves so dearly. I am also very impressed about how she is using different variations of shots during the rallies and it is helping her out tremendously. Her footwork is becoming more sensational each and everyday and to watch her control the points because of this is priceless,” Russell said.
“Simone “Big Shot” Pratt, on the other hand, is just swinging freely and hitting winners from all parts of the court. When she is out there it seems that she is at practice, with no pressure and just enjoying making her opponents run side to side until they just can not run anymore. She served much better and that is helping her enormously because her opponents are scrambling from the beginning and we all no what comes after that “Shots Man.”
As a result of their performances, Russell said she had a difficult time trying to contain herself on the sidelines.
“I jumped up out of my chair and I shouted for the heavens, giving them congratulatory remarks and encouraging them to keep it going,” she said. “The chair umpire always looks at me and smiles even though he probably wants to say ‘captain, can you calm down please.’”
Russell said a lot of their success was due in part to Thompson’s contributions off the court.
“We have been doing a fantastic job of preparing our minds and bodies for each day of competition,” Russell said. “The most important thing that we do to get us fired up and ready for the day is our group prayer we do everyday before we step foot on the court. It is led by our assigned prayer warrior Danielle Thompson. She did a remarkable job and I must commend her for keeping us going.”
As the team prepares to return home tonight, the accolades have already started to pour in.
Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association president Derron Donaldson was the first to offer his congratulations.
“Simone was our youngest player this year and was in the hot seat as the number one player. Larikah was a first time player/captain and she did a great job,” Donaldson said. “Kerrie held down the No.2 spot, which was just as hot as No.1 and she played all of the singles and did well. Danielle did well as the new comer to the team (rookie), teaming up with Larikah Russell in a doubles match and won her first ever Fed Cup match. Well done Team Bahamas.”
Former BLTA president Kit Spencer was just as appreciative of the team’s performance. “Congratulations to Larikah and all her Fed Cup team on winning promotion to Americas Zone 1. I have been following the progress on the ITF website and it seems to have been a really good team effort,” he said. “As we used to say about our men’s Davis Cup team some years ago, ‘we are the smallest nation in the world playing at level one in these competitions.’ Well done everyone.”
And another former president Edith Powell added: “Congratulations. Words cannot express our hopes and dreams for our Fed Cup players. Congratulations go out to our Fed Cup captain and parents for their continued help and support. I am sure the other presidents looked forward to this day for our Fed Cup players to excel and reach the top. All the players and parents need to be given a special award for their continued effort.”
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