The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

Jacobi Bain, back in his natural age group after moving up a notch for some experience, won his first JITIC 16-and-under title in the 2018 COTECC Junior Circuit.

Playing in the final as the top seed yesterday in El Salvador, Bain came from behind for a 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 win over unseeded Christian Winstead.

While there have been a few winners on the girls' side in the past, Bain became just the second Bahamian male to triumph in the tournament, joining pro player Kevin Major Jr, who won for the first time in 2010. Major Jr is now in Colombia where he is playing on the men's team at the Central American and Caribbean Games.

Bain, who turned 15 on April 11, had to go right back on the court for double duties where he teamed up with Jamaica's John Chin in the final. As the top seeds as well, they defeated Ronny Hernandez and Enrique Laennec of Spain.

Bain's father, Bradley, said the victory was just what Bain needed to boost his progression, especially after he got eliminated in the first round of his last tournament here at home at the National Tennis Centre - the Junkanoo Bowl - by top seed Canadian Alexandre LeBlanc, who got knocked out in the semi-final.

"I think he's been working really hard for it," he said. "The transition to boys under-18 is going exceptionally well. He hasn't won, but he's been competing exceptionally well. He's right on the crisp of a breakthrough. But 16s is really his right age group. So playing the 18s has really helped him to understand what he needs to do to win.

"As I talk to him and as he analyses his performance, he's beginning to talk more strategy and tactic on the court. He's beginning to be a player as opposed to a ball striker and that is a huge difference.

"This could be the event that turns the table for him in the 18s. Remember, when he played 18s, he was the youngest guy in that age group.

"So to be able to to compete, much less play with the older kids, makes it that much easier for him when he competes against kids his own age or slightly older."

The six-foot, 1-inch Bain is rapidly growing and could come back and duplicate the feat next year as he is still eligible. By virtue of winning the title, he will be afforded two Grade One wild cards next year.

"The Grade One events are just a step below the Grand Slam events. His current rankings would not allow him to earn a berth in a Grade One Tournament, but COTEC has now given him two appearances for his victory.

On his way to the singles final, Bain won 6-1, 7-6 (5) over Julian Lozano of Costa Rica in the first round. He then won 6-4, 4-6, 6-0 over Federico Infante of the Dominican Republic in the quarter-finals and ousted No.3 seed Kaipo Marshall of Barbados 6-2, 6-0 in the semi-finals.

In doubles as the top seeds, Bain and Chin won 6-1, 6-1 over Randy Funez of Honduras and Damian Rivera of Puerto Rico in the quarter-final and 4-6, 6-3, 10-8 over Alejandro Gandini and Federico Infante of the Dominican Republic in the semi-final.