The Bahamas improved on its strong start at the 2021 Confederation of Tennis of Central American and the Caribbean (COTECC) Under-12 (U12) team competition for sub-region three and four. They took down Trinidad and Tobago 2-1 at the Centro Nacional de Tenis Parque del Este in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, yesterday.

The two countries went into the doubles match tied 1-1. The Bahamas’ Tatyana Madu, who plays in the number one spot, was unable to play due to cramps. Team Bahamas had to turn to number two spot player Briana Houlgrave and Kaylah Fox to look for a win for The Bahamas. The went up against Trinidad and Tobago’s number one and number two players, Em-Myriam Campbell-Smith and Shiloh Walker, respectively.

In doubles, the Bahamian duo won the first set 6-3. However, Trinidad and Tobago came back in the second set and won 6-4. A third set tiebreak was needed, and it was Fox and Houlgrave who dug deep and won 10-3 to help The Bahamas come out on top two matches to one.

“It’s been a tough day but we were able to pull the doubles off,” head coach Marion Bain said.

Houlgrave played in the number two spot and took down Walker in straight sets, 6-0 and 6-3. The Bahamas went up 1-0 with that victory. In the number one spot, Madu won the first set 6-3. In the second set, the score was at 5-5 before Madu was forced to retire giving Campbell-Smith the win. Trinidad and Tobago tied it 1-1.

The Bahamas opened the tournament on Monday with a shutout win against St. Lucia. Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) President Perry Newton said that after the pandemic hit back in March of 2020, it was important to have players get back on the court and compete for The Bahamas.

“This year, it was important for the BLTA to ensure our players have an opportunity to compete and represent the nation. The girls and their parents have stayed ready, which is reflective in their level of play. We hope that they continue to do their best as this experience will only serve to develop each one of them on their tennis paths.”

The team will face host nation, the Dominican Republic, today, starting at 9 a.m.

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