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The debuting Rios powered past the Dominican Republic’s Davis Cup player Michael Ray Parrales in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3. Rios turned back Grenada’s Jimmy Adams, 6-1 and 6-0 to advance to the finals. Parrales had a tough trek after a four-hour quarter final with Puerto Rico’s Pablo Juares on Saturday, 3-6, 6-2 and 6-4, then a 3-hour Sunday morning war with St. Croix’s Chris Ellien, before outlasting him, 6-4, 5-7 and 6-4. “The final wasn’t a great tough hard fought match, because my opponent was a little bit tired from his semifinal match this morning that lasted over three hours,” Rios noted. “I had a pretty easy match. I won the first (set) got ahead on an early break and from there, just put it on cruise control. I served well today, made a lot of first serves and my percentage must have been around 65, 70% maybe more, so I was always putting the pressure on him.” Parrales said after a tough quarter and semifinal, he ran out of gas. “I wasn’t really moving as well, but I give him full credit, he played a very good match,” Parrales noted. “There were a lot of good players here and I felt that this tournament will help me well for future tournaments.”
In a battle between USVI players for the “B” Singles crown, Herold Francis beat Hermit Dannis in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3. Francis was a 6-3, 6-1 winner over the BVI’s Walter Garrimoth, while Dannis stopped the BVI’s Deane Fonseca, 6-2 and 7-5. In women’s play, 2005 champ Erica Adams upset defending champion Velma Matiengo of Puerto Rico in straight sets, 6-1, 6-2. Adams downed last year’s runner’s up and former champ Sylma Phillips of Grenada, 6-3 and 6-2. Matiengo bested the USVI’s Dernel Soto, 6-0, 6-2. “Erica has a different pace on the court and I could not get my rhythm either,” Matiengo said. “I like to hit the ball hard and it’s easier or me when the ball comes fast too, but she had a lot of slow drop balls, lobs and she made me move on the court. She was very smart and used her experience.”
Adams was unavailable for comment as she had to rush to catch the boat to St. Thomas. Adams picked up the Mixed Doubles title by teaming with St. Thomas’ George Lewis to overpower the Grenadian pair of Jimmy Adams and Sylma Phillips, 6-3, 4-6 and 6-4, after trailing 4-1 in the third set. The USVI’s Greg James and Chris Allen stopped Kevin Mota and Robert Nusher, 6-4 and 7-5 for the Men’s Doubles title. “I think the tournament was very successful this year and we had highly competitive tennis,” BVI Lawn Tennis Association president Dion Anselm said. “I’m very happy with the tournament.” (Dean "The Sportsman" Greenaway is a freelance journalist. This story is not subjected to the approval of the BVIOC) © Copyright 2008-9 BVI Olympic Committee |
