Sports
Philip Major is the Male Singles Champion at Open National Playoffs Southern
By Perry Newton, Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association
Jun 30, 2016 - 9:46:10 PM


Bahamian Philip Major dominates at the US Open National Playoffs Southern Sectional Qualifying Tournament

June 27th -- In the finals match Philip faced home town favorite Trey Yates. Despite the fact that the crowd was on American Yates side, Philip was able to break serve and overpower Yates with a convincing victory of 6-4,6-2. In an interview with Philip Major, he is quoted as saying "it is the small things that count. I have worked on being better prepared on and off the court. I have also worked on my mental game and how to better position myself with a view to remaining positive." Major credits much of his success to his new coach Jim Lavender. Philip said he will continue to train and to prepare himself and plans to participate in another tournament in the July.

Coach Lavender reported on the progress of Major's game. The ares of stark improvement that he highlighted were Philip's serve, composure in tight moments and shot selection. Last year, Coach Lavender was invited and held a tennis clinic under the direction of the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA). During the current year, Mr. Lavender also held two developmental clinics in The Bahamas. On the international stage Coach Lavender has sought to hone some of the great Bahamian talent in the persons of Philip Major, Joshua Turnquest, Jody Turnquest and Iesha Shepherd.

Other Bahamians who participated well in this US Open qualifying tournament included Joshua Turnquest, Michael Cooper and Iesha Shepherd. Iesha made it to the quarterfinals but eventually was defeated.

Philip along with partner Elyse Lavender from the United States recently won the Central Virginia Invitational Tennis Tournament (CVITT) 3-6 6-1 10-7. In singles play in the CVITT Philip made it to the main draw quarterfinals and lost to Maskim Tikhomirov 3-6, 3-6.

Philip Major recently had successful main draw appearances, particularly on the European circuit in Greece and Turkey now sets his sight on the American Pro Circuit. He remains steadfast in his training and has made tremendous improvements to his tennis play and we now look forward to Major's possibly contending in the upcoming US Open.

The US Open is the final tennis major of the year and along with the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon comprise the Grand Slam in Tennis.

The BLTA is extremely excited about this great development by Philip Major. Major has represented his country well on numerous national teams including recently the Pan American Games. The opportunity to represent the country for singles male play at the prestigious US Open will be a tremendous feat and we wish him great success towards this end.

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