By TENAJH SWEETING

Tribune Sports Reporter

tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

THE Giorgio Baldacci Open National Tennis Championships got underway yesterday at the National Tennis Centre (NTC). After a busy day one, tennis action will pick up in the quarterfinals today.

Denali Nottage, who emerged as last year’s national champion, downed Jody Turnquest in straight sets. He took set one in comfortable fashion, winning 6-0.

In the following set, he bested his opponent 6-1. Alec Hooper booked his trip to Tuesday’s quarterfinals against Nottage after defeating Theophilus Weir 6-2, 6-0.

Nottage talked about his expectations this time around as the defending champion. “My goal is the same thing, trying to come out victorious again so that I can represent my country at the Davis Cup. But I just have to go one match at a time and cannot think too far ahead,” said the Freeport native. Rodney Carey Jr, the third seed, knocked off Dentry Mortimer Jr in consecutive sets 6-2, 6-4. He will now face Cailan Bowe who dropped Jeffrey Thompson in a tightly-contested three sets. Bowe won set one 7-6(1) but fell in the following set 6-2. In the final set, Bowe claimed the victory 6-1.

Michael Major Jr, who attends Howard University, will face top junior Jerald Carroll after toppling Bradley Fowler 6-1, 6-1. Carroll upset the fourth ranked Anthony Burrows Jr comfortably 6-1, 6-0.

Baker Newman is set to take on two-time Davis Cup team member Donte Armbrister who is also ranked as the number two seed. Newman ousted Jackson Mactaggart 6-2, 6-0 and Armbrister won 6-0, 6-0 against Miguel Smith.

Elana Mackey, who nabbed the girls’ division of the 2022 Giorgio Baldacci Open Tennis Nationals, will take on Sarai Clarke in the girls’ quarterfinals today. Clarke was locked into a competitive battle with Sierra Rodgers that resulted in three sets. The latter stole set one 7-5 but Clarke regained composure in set two, winning 6-2. She claimed the final set 6-3 to battle against Mackey in the quarterfinals.

Mackey is ready to defend her crown this week.

“It feels pretty good to be back. I know this year we have a lot more new players in the draw and I am excited for the tournament. I am expecting to do pretty good, make it to the finals and possibly win the tournament. I have been training really hard so I hope to show that at this tournament,” she said.

Sydney Clarke, the number one seed, will match up against Breann Ferguson today at the NTC. Ferguson defeated top junior Tatyana Madu 6-1, 6-4.

Takaii Adderley and Afrika Smith both solidified their quarterfinals spots with wins yesterday. Adderley dropped off Saphirre Ferguson, the number fourth seed, 6-1, 6-1. Meanwhile, Smith handed Leila O’Brien a loss in straight sets. She won against her opponent 6-1, 6-2.

“It was my third time playing Saphirre so I stuck with my game plan. I did not really play the way I wanted to but overall I was happy to get the win. It feels great. It is my second time back here and the goal is to win it all while getting better in every game,” Adderley said.

Freeport native Jalisa Clarke defeated Caila Bowe 6-1, 6-0. Clarke and the third-seeded Simone Pratt will battle for a semifinals spot today. The quarterfinals are slated to begin at 9am.