Chin looking forward to ITF Jamaica Cup semis

John Chin, who is the only Jamaican player to have advanced to the semi-finals of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Jamaica Cup tournament at the Half Moon Resort in Montego Bay, says he is excited to be among the final four at the competition.

Yesterday, Chin defeated Jakub Ostajewski from the USA 6-2, 6-1 in the quarter-finals of the five-day tournament. He will go up against Hayden Templeman from Canada, who won his quarter-final 7-5, 6-4 in the semi-finals today at 10:30 a.m. The next semi-final will be contested between Billy Suarez and Ty Switzer from the USA.

Michaela Stephens was the only other local player of eight to get past the first round of the competition, but she was eliminated in the second round, 6-0, 6-1, on Tuesday by Mathilda Rigby of Australia, who is also in the semi-finals.

Despite being the only Jamaican player left in the tournament, Chin said there is no pressure on him to deliver today although he wants to go all the way to take the title.

“It would be important for me to take the title for Jamaica. It would look good for a Jamaican to win this tournament in Jamaica. I have the crowd for me, and my coach (Ryan Russell) being here helps me a lot. I like how I’ve been playing. I’m getting better with every match,” Chin said.

“It makes me feel good that I can represent Jamaica. I’m very relaxed to play tomorrow being as it’s in my home town, so I’m feeling good. There is no pressure, I just take it one step at a time.

I’ll just stay relaxed, go to sleep early and be ready (for the semi-finals),” he added.

Although admitting that he would be happier to see more Jamaicans competing and advancing deep into the tournament, Chin said it is a great opportunity and experience for the younger players.

“I would have been happier if a bit more Jamaicans were playing and made it through the rounds.

However, for the ones who played, it would have been a good experience for them to see how international tennis is and what to work for as well as it’s good for local tennis,” Chin said.

“My first ITF tournament was in Jamaica, which I lost in the first round like most of the other Jamaican kids here.

However, it has helped me to develop into this player that travels a lot to these tournaments. They are still young, most of them were born in 2004, which means they still have about three or four more years so hopefully, this will help them to go on to be good,” he added.