Jacob Bicknell hopeful of Davis Cup selection
Published:Wednesday | December 28, 2022 | 1:02 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
FOLLOWING HIS 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 victory in the All Jamaica Tennis Championship Men’s Open final over Damion Johnson on the weekend at Tennis Jamaica, Jacob Bicknell has high hopes of being selected to Jamaica’s Davis Cup team, which takes on Estonia in February.
Bicknell defeated Daniel Azar 5-7, 7-6, 6-2 in one semifinal, while in the other semi Johnson defeated Dwayne Pagon in a hard-fought 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 match.
Bicknell, who has represented Jamaica four times in Davis Cup competition, is optimistic of being on the team for the February 4-5 encounter alongside his brother, Blaise Bicknell, after his latest success.
“I am expecting to be chosen to play in the Davis Cup games coming up because of this performance in the All Jamaica,” he said.
Jacob, who was part of the team that qualified in Costa Rica in July for this playoff, also believes that beating one of the players favoured for selection should increase his chances of being included.
“I have been training since the All Jamaica and my plans are to continue training hard every day until Davis Cup, if selected,” he stated.
Jacob, who has been working in New York at The BDO Accounting Firm, said he is playing much more freely and with a lot more confidence.
In the finals, against an opponent who has coached and mentored him for much of his career, Jacob played his best match of the tournament to claim the title.
After Jacob cruised to victory in the first set, Johnson came back to take a keenly contested second.
Although Johnson gave it his all in the third set, he found young Jacob quite resilient and too tough to overcome.
Meanwhile, Katherine Dibbs emerged as champion in the female open category after a 6-1, 6-1 win over Pauline Hylton.
Meaghan McConnell took the female amateur title with victory over Daniella Silvera.
The men’s class one, two and three honours went to Matthew Rodriguez, Seretse Bell, and Bryan Robinson, respectively.
John Azar took home the men’s 45 title, while Kyle Clarke won the boys 18, Kahj Clarke the boys 16, Mikele Williams the boys 14 and Ajani Robinson the boys 12 titles.
For the female juniors, Savanna Taylor won the girls 14 and 16 titles, Jules Fearon took the girls 12, Courtney Chin the girls 18 and Nyle Fogarthy the 10 and under crown.