Jamaica's top juniors will hope to gain valuable experience as they take on far more experienced international competitors, when the ITF Jamaica Junior Tournament serves off at 9:00 a.m. today at the Eric Bell Tennis Centre.

In what is expected to be a tough boys 18 event, which has received somewhere between 60 and 70 entries, it will be a victory for some of the locals if they can just make Monday's main draw.

Aiming for a spot in that event are juniors who have received a wildcard spot, including Mckoy Malcolm, Matthew Rodrigues, Florida-based David Russell and Javier Mullings.

Players already with ITF points will have the weekend off as they have already made the main draw.

After missing out on the Pan Caribbean Jamaica Junior Open last week, with a strained shoulder, top junior Brandon Burke is set to make a return to the court.

Burke will be joined by Jamaica Junior champion Christopher Lawson, who will be eager to make his mark against much tougher opposition.

Also representing Jamaica in the main draw will be the talented duo of Winifred Weinbeer and Adam Vaz.

In the girls category, Jamaica Junior champion Simone Brown will lead charge and while younger than many of her peers, should more than make up for it with her experience.

The girls draw will be a much smaller one with just 15-16 overseas players.

"This will allow a number of our players to feel what it's like competing in an international tournament," said national technical director, Douglas Burke. "We will have players at the tournament from all over the globe and that provides a good chance for some of our players to gain exposure.

- K. M.