It was a fantastic evening of tennis at the Cayman Islands Tennis Club!  It will only get better starting on Wednesday at 5:30 pm.  We have completed the first round of the 2012 pwc Men’s Invitational on Tuesday with the completion of 8 matches.  So far, we have only had one surprise in the tournament; unfortunately one of the participants that were coming from overseas had to pull out of the tournament last minute due to an injury.  Ilian Nachev, a local pro from the Ritz, benefited by receiving the “injury bye” from Marvin Rolle of the Bahamas. In Tuesday’s action we saw the number one seed of the tournament and last year’s winner, Marcio Torres, take on one of Cayman’s own and 2012 pwc Open Champ, in a closer than expected victory over Mica Koll 6-3, 6-3.   Mica showed some good patience in the match and fought a hard battle.  It was a great experience for Mica playing one of the ATP ranked professionals in this year’s event.  Marcio does look as though he may have some competition this year from the first time comer, Stefano Ianni from Italy.  Stefano Ianni is still playing on the ATP Tour currently, played the tough clay court foe of Raul Gurailnick of Chile in the first round.  While defeating Raul 6-1, 6-1 the match was much closer than the score would suggest and very entertaining for the crowd that was able to witness it.

The Jamaicans that have come to this year’s tournament have all made it past the first round.  Yussof Migoko, a Jamaican Davis Cup player, defeated local youngster Alex Leonard in a long 6-2, 6-2 match and Marcus Malcolm defeated Rob Weins 7-6, 6-3.  McCoy Malcolm, a brother of Marcus’, defeated our very own Adam Bayley 6-1, 6-4.  This is the third year that the Jamaicans have come back to this pwc Men’s Invitational tournament.  “We have a great time coming to this tournament every year!  We had a couple of our other teammates that were coming however, they had some last minute details that prevented them from coming but hopefully next year” Marcus Malcolm was quoted.  “Yes, Rob, Dale and Adam put on a fantastic show.  And I am happy to make it out her for my second run for some prize money.  This is a fantastic club and the members are also very friendly and supportive” quoted by Yussof Migoko.

The tournament’s third seed from Barbados, who is ATP ranked, Haydn Lewis, defeated our very own Dale Avery 6-1, 6-2.  The match was much more entertaining than the score indicates.

Andres De Armas, from Venezuela, faced another local, Nikhil Jha.  Andres was victorious in his match winning 6-1, 6-1.

The action does not stop here!  We will be having the singles quarter finals on Wednesday with two singles matches at 5:30 and another two at 7:00 pm.  We will also begin the 2012 pwc Men’s Doubles competition on Wednesday evening which will follow the singles matches at approx. 8:30.  The semi finals will be on Friday starting at 5:30 and then the finals of the singles will be taking place on Saturday at 4:30 with the doubles final shortly following.

Wednesday:
Singles Quarter Finals:  Starting at 5:30
Doubles Master Round:  Starting at 8:30

Thursday:
All Doubles Round Robin:  Starting at 6:00

Friday:
Singles Semi Finals:

Saturday:
Men’s Singles Final:  Starting at 4:30
Men’s Doubles Final: Following the singles.

The Cayman Islands Tennis Club would like to thank pwc for taking on the primary sponsorship for this tournament for the sixth straight year.  Without them it would not be possible.  We would also like to thank our first year sponsor Cayman National.

The tennis this week will truly be some amazing entertainment and we do hope that all of you can take advantage of the talent that we have here at the moment.  There is no cost to watch the matches and throughout the week, food will be provided by Caribos, so bring your empty stomachs and enjoy some terrific tennis!