BELMOPAN, Tues. May 21, 2019– This past Saturday, May 18, in Belmopan at the Hill Top tennis courts, 13 male and 6 female tennis players competed in a singles competition sponsored by Pine Lumber Company Limited. Despite the scorching sun, the players gave it their all, and the fans witnessed some nice, competitive tennis.
In the female division, after the round-robin, which also included participants Sophia Sosa, Esmeralda Rayo, Els Arnold and Anselma Gullap, the 2 top players to reach the finals were Samira Pott and former college player and current Peace Corps volunteer, Alexandria Rios. After long rallies and a very tight match that could have gone either way, Alexandria edged Samira, 6-4.
In the male category, out of the participants which also included Peter Quan, Blake Lee, Akeem Smalling, Harnadar Tut, Shaun Finnetty, Brandon Marsden, Humberto Chavarria (Peten) and Javier Sanchez (Peten), the 4 top players to make it to the semifinals were two of Belize’s most promising youth tennis players, Stefan Sosa versus Samron Pott, and the experienced players, Mike Sosa versus Ralph Tatum.
In the first semifinal, Samron Pott defeated Stefan Sosa, 6-4, in a very close match-up with both boys exhibiting great talent and knowledge of the game. In the other semifinal, Mike Sosa defeated Ralph Tatum, 6-2.
In the final, young Samron Pott took the jump, 3-0, over Mike Sosa, who was forced to quickly re-assess and change his strategy by approaching the net. This was a good move, as the experienced Sosa went on to take the victory, 6-3, in a well contested match over young Samron Pott, who exhibited a solid performance and a well-rounded game.
Special thanks to Cuban coach, Maria Ester Rodriguez Luis for running the tournament, and to the fans! Special thanks also to the sponsor, Pine Lumber Co. Ltd.; to the Belmopan City Council for use of the courts; the Belmopan Tennis Club; and to the Belize Tennis Association for its dedication to developing the sport of tennis.
All tennis players are urged to keep on practicing, and to enter upcoming tournaments.
-press release –