Umpire David Issacs Makes Losing Return

Ryon Jones, Staff Reporter

After a decade of calling the shots from the umpire's chair, David Issacs made a losing return to the court last night as he was beaten 6-0, 6-2 by top Class Two seed, Leighton Burton, on the third day of action in the Jamaica National Open Tennis Championship being played over five days at the Liguanea Club.

In the only other two men's matches completed at press time, Jacob Bicknell, who is one of Jamaica's top juniors, saw off the challenge of Ryan Simms 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 in their Men's Open match, while Fabian Vassell defeated Clement Greenwood 7-5, 6-2 in their Class Three meeting.

On the women's side, Raquel Bryan stopped Leah Smyle 6-0, 6-1. Joseph Dibbs got a walkover, as his opponent, Neil Daley, failed to show for their Class Two match.

"Tennis is a game I love - both from the chair and from the courtside - and I was asked to play and I thought I would come back out and play again," Issacs revealed.

EYES ON WHITE BADGE

Issacs is looking forward to regaining his white-badge official status, which he has lost due to the limited number of local tournaments.

"I got my white badge in 2002 with nine other Jamaicans, and I have been a chair umpire since that," Issacs revealed. "Right now, I am currently a national umpire and not a white badge, but I am looking forward to getting it back."

Burton, who entered both the open and class two categories, was happy to get back to winning ways, having lost on Wednesday to Men's Open second seed Dominic Pagon, 6-2, 6-0.

"The Open was tough, but I learned a few things, so I just tried and implemented them tonight," Burton said.

Today's action, which is slated to commence at 5:30 p.m., will see some 16 matches being contested; a total of six women's matches, three Men's Class Two, five Men's Class Three and two Men's Open encounters.

ryon.jones@gleanerjm.com