First Caribbean International Bank Tennis Tournament winners. Photo> Sophia Fay

TORTOLA—Former champions Dion Anselm and Musonda Poole walked away winners in the First Caribbean International Bank BVI Closed Tennis Championships that wrapped up at the Tortola Sports Club in Pasea on Saturday.

Anselm, who had a surprised test from Damon Wilson in his opening match last Sunday, polished off Scott Bryson in straight sets, 6-0, 6-3, to nab the title. “Well, it’s good to be back. Good to be a champion once again,” Anslem said.  “It wasn’t a big challenge because Percy (Rhoden) wasn’t there and Sheldon (Walters) wasn’t there either, so basically, I had an easy ride on to the championships.”

Mari Alido prepares to serve against the doubles partner of Anne Greenwood and Sherwin Modoc. Her partner was Anthony Spenser and they needed a third set one point tie breaker to pull out a 2-6, 6-2, 1-0 (7-1) win. Photo>Dean "The Sportsman" Greenaway

TORTOLA—Former champion Dion Anselm got a surprise test from a new comer, in Sunday night’s opener of the First Caribbean International Bank BVI closed Tennis tournament’s Men’s “A” singles, at the Tortola sports Club in Pasea. The tournament runs through Saturday, when the champions will be crowned. Anselm advanced after overcoming Barbados’ Damon Wilson who recently moved to the territory, 6-3, 6-4. “He was challenged,” noted Tortola Sports Club Tennis captain Humphrey Leue who organized the event. “Certainly, that’s not something that Dion is used to in the early rounds. He normally gets challenged in the later rounds."

Tortola Sports Club Tennis captain Humphrey Leue, who competed last year, is organizing this year's tournament. Photo>Dean "The Sportsman" Greenaway

TORTOLA—Two new champions will be crowned from among the 50 participants who have met Monday’s registration deadline for the First Caribbean International Bank Tennis Tournament, which kicks off at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday at the Tortola Sports Club in Pasea. Matches will be played at 5:00 p.m. daily through Nov 24.

Humphrey Leue, Tortola Sports Club Tennis Captain, said they have a very good turnout and he expects good competition. “We’ve gone back to the format where it’s a closed tournament—that is to say, opened to BVI residents only,” Leue explained. “Last year we opened it up and had a few players from St. Thomas and overseas, but, by popular demand, we have decided to keep the tournament closed this year.”

Puerto Rico's Vilma Mattiengo made dazzling comeback plays to be Grenada's Sylma Phillips in a 3 hour 50 minute marathon Photo: Dean "The Sportsman" Greenaway

TORTOLA—Bolivia’s Davis Cup player Jose Antelo, used a straight set 6-0, 6-1 victory over St. Thomas’ Luis Taylor, to capture the BVI Open Tennis Tournament Alphonso Warner Insurance Agency Men’s A singles final Sunday at the Tortola Sports Club in Pasea. “I served very well today, the best day that I’ve served,” said Antelo, who used a series of drop shots to his advantage. “When he was playing back way behind the baseline, that was a good shot to use. After pulling him off the court, the drop shot became a good option. It’s a change of pace when he’s not expecting it.”

TORTOLA—The British Virgin Islands Lawn Tennis Association officials on Monday announced that 61 entries from eight different countries, have registered for the BVI Open Tennis Tournament which kicks off at 5:00 p.m. Thursday, at the Tortola Sports club in Pasea. “Alphonso Warner Insurance Agency, has stepped forward and generously over the last two years, agreed to fully fund the prize for the men’s open division. Due to his generosity, we have been able to double the prize money in the men’s open division,” association president Henry Creque said, noting the winner will now bag $2,000.