Bermuda’s World Junior Tennis Team finished a fantastic ninth in the Caribbean pre-qualifying tournament after beating PAnama in their final match.

After losing their first two group matches, the young squad was forced into competing against the best of the rest in the knockout stages, and Bermuda came out on top in that second tier with three straight wins.

Against Panama, Tobiah Goodchild won his singles match 6-4, 7-5 and Tristan Pettit was succcessful in his rubber 6-1, 6-1, which meant the doubles did not need to be played as Bermuda had already secured the win.

Coach Terry Smith was delighted with the way the team had performed after tasting defeat in their first two games.

“In the first part, the teams that beat us were just a little more consistent,” Smith said. “Our patience wasn’t as great as theirs. In the latter part we were very focused and pulled it together. We got more patient, we were a bit more strategic, were willing to work at it and stay in the points. To some extent we were stronger from a playing standpoint but we need to be more consistent.

“Everyone was upbeat and happy to come out the best of the rest. Hopefully next time around they will get into the top half of the draw and see how far they can go.

“We came out second of what I woul call the English-speaking Caribbean countries, only Trinidad got into the top half of the draw but we were able to win the second tier Bermuda.”