Rowe Wins Women's Title

Ryon Jones, Staff Reporter

The first upset of the 2012 NCB Capital Markets Open Tennis Championship came on yesterday's final day when No. 2 seed, Tinesta Rowe, defeated the No. 1 seed, Ffion Fletcher, in the women's singles final 6-1, 6-2 for a straight victory, as she claimed the winner's purse of US$1,100.

In a match that lasted little over an hour at the Liguanea Club in New Kingston, Fletcher made a total of nine double faults; six in the first set and three in the second to virtually gift the game to Rowe.

At press time number two seed Darian King of Barbados who is ranked at 505 in the Association of Tennis Players (ATP) rankings was leading number one seed Tim Smyczek of the United States by a set, after taking the first 6-4. Smyczek, who has an ATP ranking of 130 was, however, up 3-2 in the second set.

King was slated to team up with Damion Johnson to tackle Dominic Pagon and Brandon Burke in the men's doubles final match of the tournament.

Rowe, who was playing only her second tournament in two years, having been eliminated at the semi-final stage in the 2011 edition, was not totally pleased with her performance.

"I feel good, because I did better than last year when I lost in the semi-finals ..." the 27-year-old Rowe told The Gleaner. "I am not very pleased with how I played, it wasn't the best, but a win is a win."

Rowe dedicated the tournament win to her family and plans to use the prize money to fund her brother's participation in an upcoming golf event.

Not overly disappointed

Fletcher, who in August won the Hi-Pro Ace Supercenter Tennis Open, was not overly disappointed with the loss and is now relishing the prospect of future battles with Rowe.

"It is good to see another woman step up ... that's what we have been trying to get," Fletcher said. "It is always nice when you have somebody to challenge you, to push you and motivate you to keep on going."

Fletcher blamed the many unforced errors on a lack of match practice.

"I probably played once before I came into this tournament. (But) ... you really can't take anything away from Tinesta; she was good out there today," Fletcher shared.

ryon.jones@gleanerjm.com