Bounty Invitational Tennis: Top seed off and running

Former All-Jamaica champion and local favourite Damion Johnson got off to a marauding start at the inaugural Bounty Invitational Tennis Classic which got under way at the Couples Tower Isle courts yesterday.

Johnson wasted little time in getting in the groove and brushed aside 16-year-old Cornwall College student Mackaiba Thomas 6-2, 6-1 to open proceedings at the tournament in the men’s Open category.

Thomas had a tough draw to start and was swiftly 2-0 down in the first set, but rallied to level the set at 2-2 before Johnson used his experience to pull away and win the remaining games to claim the opening set 6-2.

Young Thomas rallied to go 1-0 up in the second set. However, he didn’t help his cause after and had several double faults which allowed Johnson to seize the initiative and romp away with six straight points to claim the victory.

For Johnson, playing on the synthetic surface was new; however, he was able to adjust and get the win to kick-start his title bid.

“The surface is something like grass and a bit different than what I am used to but I was comfortable playing, as it was more strategic. You had to pay attention to the bounce of the ball but all in a all very comfortable start and it’s good to ease through the first round.”

Young Thomas said the tough start is something that he is looking to learn from as he grows in his tennis career.

“It’s a learning experience for me to play players like Damion because it’s better to play the best players early so that will help me to grow,”Thomas said.

In other opening round matches, former All-Jamaica champion David Goldsmith made light work of junior Jamar Parkinson to come away with a 6-2, 6-0 win on court one.

Goldsmith utilised his serve and volley tactic to perfection to book his place into the next round where he will face second seed Jeremy Miller who had a walkover over Garnett James who failed to show.

In other results, third seed Yussuf Mgoko got the better of Jason Duval 6-2, 7-5 while Adam Harris had a comfortable 6-2, 6-2 win over Jonathan March.

Davian Burrell also advanced to the second round following a 6-4, 6-3 win over Johnny Rosetta.

The competition continues today with men’s Class Two action along with the ladies’ amateur section and the continuation of the men’s Open.