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BERMUDA | RSS PODCAST

Manders? big day ruined by the rain

Gavin Manders rearranged a family holiday at significant expense to play in the final of the Bank of Bermuda Foundation ITF World Ranking Junior Tournament on Saturday.

But his chances of winning a first international title by beating American Weston Wendt were frustratingly scuppered by persistently heavy rain throughout the day which allowed for only half an hour?s play.

The dark clouds did break briefly in the late afternoon at WER Joell Tennis Stadium, when Manders stormed into a commanding 4-1 lead in the first set.

However, the heavens opened once again shortly after, bringing an end to a tournament scheduled without a reserve day.

Staring forlornly out at the sodden courts from beneath the sponsors? tent, Manders was clearly disappointed to have had his momentum halted by the inclement weather.

?It?s a real shame because I was feeling good,? he said.

?My family managed to rearrange the ticket down to Florida, which I?m very grateful for, but now I?ve had to sit here all day and watch the rain. It?s very frustrating because I think I was on top of Weston and it would have been nice to get a title under my belt before heading up to college.?

The 18-year old begins a tennis scholarship at the Florida Gulf Coast University later this month, and flew out yesterday to join his family who are currently vacationing in the Sunshine State.

Tournament officials confirmed yesterday that both finalists would receive 20 ranking points ? the equivalent of finishing as a runner-up.

Reflecting on the tournament as a whole, meanwhile, Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association President David Lambert pronounced himself to be ?very pleased? with the week?s proceedings.

?We are very happy with how the tournament went and the position of junior tennis in Bermuda as a whole at present,? he said.

?It is all very well to have a strong junior programme in place in Bermuda, but by setting up a junior ITF tournament, it allows some of our more talented youngsters to mix with very good players from around the world and experience first-hand the level of sacrifice required at the top level. The guys who came in from abroad eat, drink and sleep tennis and I think it was a real eye-opener for our guys.?

?We?re very happy to see all the organisation come together,? he continued.

?Anybody who has been involved in organising these types of international tournaments knows that it just does not happen and I?d like to thank all those involved, from the volunteers to our corporate sponsors for making the week such a successful one.?

Meanwhile, regional supervisor Mickey Adams, who is responsible for overseeing junior professional tournaments throughout Central America and the Caribbean, said that he had been ?hugely impressed? with the organisation of an event which is only in its second year, and predicted that the tournament would grow to become one of the most popular and successful in the region.

?Everything about the tournament has been first class,? he said.

?Certainly there is plenty of potential here and we will be actively encouraging the BLTA to expand its ambitions for this tournament because the infrastructure is undoubtedly there.?

Saturday?s women?s singles final between Susanne Luque of Chile and Vanessa Van Aerde of Surinam also fell foul of the weather.