Sport

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Top seed Shantal Blackwood advanced to the semi-finals of both the Under-18 and Under-16 girls' singles at the PanCaribbean All Jamaica Junior Championships, following victories at the Eric Bell Centre yesterday.

Blackwood, a past student of The Queen's High School, easily defeated Shaddae Findlay 7-6, 6-1 to reach the last four in the Under-18 section. She now awaits the winner of the quarter-final match between third-ranked Sicquena Sinclair and Shelitta Haughton.

In the Under-16 competition, Blackwood defeated Tanica Fogarthy 6-0, 6-1.

Former Under-16 singles champion Michaelann Denton also booked her place in the semi-final of the Under-18 singles of with a comfortable 6-1, 6-2 win over Phadria Kepple. Denton will now face the winner of the match between Nia Rose and Monique Hanson.

Boys' battle

Meanwhile, the action is heating up on the boys' side. Number-one ranked Joseph Ross will battle eighth-ranked Jared Morgan in the quarter-finals. In other quarter-finals games, fourth-ranked Ramone Doyley opposes Jordan Harris, sixth seed Michael Jones faces third-ranked Daniel Harris and Ryan Simms is up against Sheldon McIntosh.

In the boys' Under-16 singles quarter-finals set for today, number-one ranked Horatio Ludford will face Jordan Ricketts, third-seeded Andrew Bicknell oppose Maiz Sinclair, Daniel Harris tackle Jared Morgan and Mark-Brandon Pitter awaits Ryan Simms.

In the girls' Under-16, Blackwood will await the winner of the quarter-final match between Michaelann Denton and Shelitta Haughton. In other quarter-finals matches set for today, Shaddae Findlay will oppose Nia Rose and Phadria Kepple battle Shaniel Lafayette.

In the boys' Under-10 singles semi-finals set for today, Blaise Bicknell opposes Devin Weller and Damani Cain battles Rueben Pinchas.