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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Next stage will be in New Haven, Conn. right before U.S. Open
ATLANTA – JUNE 25, 2016 20-year old tennis professional, Philip Major, an Andros native and now living in Nassau, earned early breaks in each set as he defeated Trey Yates of Atlanta, Ga. 6-4, 6-2 in the men's singles final of US Open National Playoffs Southern Sectional Qualifying Tournament in Norcross, Ga. Major now advances to the US Open National Playoffs Championships, held along with the Connecticut Open presented by United Technologies, an Emirates Airline US Open Series event, in New Haven, Conn., played just before the US Open. His opponent in the finals, Yates,is a member of the University of Kentucky men's tennis team and is from the Atlanta area.
Major said he is happy with the result, but even happier with his game as he is now training in North Carolina with tennis coach, Jim Lavender. Major played for the Bahamas in last year’s Pan Am Games and has been participating in ITF tournaments, mainly in Europe.
"We just started training together in January and I've noticed a huge jump in my game," admitted Major, who has spent a great deal of time working on his fitness. "Now we want to keep moving forward."
It paid off as temperatures all week in Norcross have been above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, (32 C).
Major looked to be the fresher of the two players and kept moving forward against Yates, keeping the Kentucky student athlete off balance and guessing from the baseline.
"He goes for a lot, he's a really big hitter," said Major after the victory. "I was trying to go where I thought he was more weak, which was the backhand side. If I keep my game plan and my composure, I would come out on top. I knew his backhand was the weaker side.
Major will keep playing the Futures circuit before heading to New Haven. He said he will continue to do his best as he has since he started playing at a tennis court at his house at the age of six.
The US Open National Playoffs is in its seventh season, providing the opportunity for all players 14 years of age and older to earn a berth into all five draws at the US Open.
© Copyright 2016 by thebahamasweekly.com
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