by BERNARD BABB Compliments of the Nation News

WORLD-RANKING POINTS, pride, and bragging rights are at stake this morning when two friends square off in the final of the FirstCaribbean International Tennis tournament.

Yohansey Williams, the No.3 seed from Trinidad and Tobago, meets Bahamian Jamal "Ducky" Adderley, the No.2 seed, in the play-off for the Boys' Under-18 singles title and 40 points that goes with the package.

A testing and exciting encounter is expected after the big-hearted Williams eliminated No.1 seed Uriel Oquendo in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, in yesterday's semi-finals.

Williams hit the court with guns blazing and pressured the Colombian with a big serve and aggressive groundstrokes which surprisingly dismantled Oquendo's usually steady game.

Adderley, playing a consistent game of percentage tennis, was more clinical in his 6-1, 6-2 ouster of Trinidadian Michael Clarke, the No.7 seed.

"My plan was to be aggressive and win the first set. I felt I could hold serve in the second and wait for a break ...it worked for me," said Williams.

While Williams moved in range of the title, his female compatriots had a wretched day against Russian opposition.

Top seeds in the Girls' Under-18 division, Trinidadians Yolande Leacock (No.1) and Olivia Bennett (No.2) both crashed out in straight sets when it was anticipated that at least one would have reached the final.

Leacock fell to Margarita Edinarova of Russia (6-3, 6-3) while Bennett was eliminated by 13-year-old Valeriya Solovieva, making way for an all-Russian playoff.

Bennett had looked capable of winning the first set, but bowed out 7-6 (3), 6-4, after the Russian came from behind to force a tie-break.

In afternoon play yesterday, the last hope of the Trinidadian girls making it to an Under-18 final was also dashed as doubles partners Leacock and Bennett were defeated by Giulia Bruzzone of Italy and Edinarova.

They lost in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3.

Colombian Oquendo remained in the hunt for at least one title as he teamed with Aruba's Miguel Muguruza to qualify for the doubles final with a 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 win over Adderley and Barnabas Carrega of Italy.

Caribbean Holidays

Caribbean Accommodation