Bahamian tennis player Philip Major dominated at the recently completed U.S. Open National Playoffs Southern Sectional Qualifying Tournament in Peachtree Corners, Georgia. He defeated hometown favorite Trey Yates in straight sets in the final, 6-4 and 6-2. (Photo: Perry Newton)
Young Bahamian tennis player Philip Major dominated at the U.S. Open National Playoffs Southern Sectional Qualifying Tournament in Peachtree Corners, Georgia, U.S.A, last week.
In the final, major faced hometown favorite Trey Yates and prevailed in straight sets, 6-4 and 6-2. Despite the crowd being heavily in Yates' corner, Major overpowered him for the convincing win. He said afterwards: "It's the small things that count. I have worked on being better prepared on and off the court. I have also worked on my mental game and how to better position myself with a view to remaining positive."
Major credits much of his success to his new coach Jim Lavender. He said he will continue to train and to prepare himself for other tournaments. He plans to play again in July. Coach Lavender reported on the progress of Major's game. The areas of stark improvement that he highlighted were Major's serve, composure in tight moments and shot selection.
Last year, Coach Lavender held a tennis clinic under the direction of the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA), after being invited to do so. This year, he also held two developmental clinics in The Bahamas.
On the international stage, Coach Lavender has sought to hone the skills of some of the great Bahamian tennis talent in the country such as Major, Joshua Turnquest, Jody Turnquest and Iesha Shepherd. Other Bahamians who participated well in the U.S. Open qualifying tournament last week were Joshua Turnquest, Michael Cooper and Shepherd. Shepherd made it to the quarter-finals but eventually lost.
Major along with partner Elyse Lavender from the United States recently won the Central Virginia Invitational Tennis Tournament, prevailing in the championship match, 3-6, 6-1 and 10-7. In singles, Major made it to the main draw quarter-finals before losing to American Maskim Tikhomirov, 3-6 and 3-6.
Major recently had successful main draw appearances, particularly on the European circuit in Greece and Turkey, and now has his sights set on the American pro circuit. He remains steadfast in his training and has made tremendous improvement to his tennis play, and now, could possibly contend for a spot at the U.S. Open. The U.S. Open is the final tennis major of the year, and along with the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon, comprise the Grand Slam in tennis.
According to reports, the BLTA is extremely excited about this great development by Major. Major has represented his country well on numerous national teams including recently at the Pan American Games. The opportunity to represent the country for singles at the prestigious U.S. Open will be a tremendous feather in his cap.
The BLTA wishes him great success toward this end.
Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian
