By TENAJH SWEETING

Tribune Sports Reporter

tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

Four tennis players remain in contention for the Giorgio Baldacci Open Tennis Nationals male and female national crown after advancing out of the semifinals yesterday at the National Tennis Centre (NTC).

The top seeded Michael Major Jr will take on the 2022 national champion Denali Nottage in the men’s singles finals. 

Both players will be eligible to represent The Bahamas on the Davis Cup team. 

Over in the women’s division, the reigning women’s national champion Simone Pratt and the second seeded Sydney Clarke will go head-to-head in a rematch of last year’s finals. Both ladies will be apart of The Bahamas’ Billie Jean King Cup (BJKC) national team. Major Jr made his first Giorgio Baldacci finals after defeating William McCartney in yesterday’s semifinals 6-0, 3-0 (retired).

The Howard University student was thrilled to make it to the finals and achieve his second Davis Cup team selection.

“It feels great to make it to the finals. Just the mere fact that I am making the finals means that I am back on the Davis Cup team. It is definitely a special feeling making it two times in a row now,” he said.

Despite the windy weather conditions at the NTC, Major said the goal was just to play his game and play smart against his opponent.

“I don’t think the score reflects how tough it was but I think he played really well. I think today I just stayed true to my game and executed basically perfectly. I didn’t do too much but it was kind of windy out here so I just did what I had to do to get off the court as quick I could and just play the game I know, play it smart and that’s what got me through,” he said. 

Nottage clinched his final berth with a hard fought victory over the second seeded Donte Armbrister in the men’s singles semifinals. He edged out his opponent 7-5, 6-3 to contend for his second national crown.

He spoke about the battle he had with Armbrister yesterday.

“Donte is a well experienced player all around so today I knew it was gonna be a battle so I went out there and just fought,” he said. 

The 2022 male national champion is expecting a competitive matchup against Major Jr and was pleased to make the Davis Cup cut.

“It is gonna be a great match from start to finish and certainly a battle. To be in the finals is a great opportunity because my team and I prepare for this all year to go and represent the country,” he said.

Over in the women’s category, the 2023 Giorgio Baldacci female champion continued her journey to defending the title with a clean 6-0,6-0 victory against Jalisa Clarke in the semifinals.

Pratt came into the semifinals recuperating from a flu, but was happy that she was still able to show up and show out.

“It feels great. I came in not feeling so well because I had a flu just two days before so I am not a 100 per cent but just happy to be here, go out there and try my best. The conditions were a bit windy again today so it was kind of tough because you couldn’t really hit through the ball as much as you wanted. It was just mostly staying in each point but she played well,” she said. 

Both Clarke and Pratt played against each other for the 2023 Giorgio Baldacci women’s national crown and as teammates at the 2024 BJKC Americas Group III Tournament in August. 

Pratt is hoping to take home the title for the second consecutive year.

“It feels great to be able to be in this position again. Hopefully, I can come out on top again this year. My mindset is basically one point at a time, don’t give up and just fight,” she said.

Clarke secured a comfortable win (6-0,6-0) against junior BreAnn Ferguson in the women’s singles semifinals to book her second straight trip to the finals.

She spoke about her strategy against the younger opponent.

“I was very patient today, very confident and very decisive with my shot selection, so that gave me the upperhand. I think I handled the weather a little bit better than my opponent today. Overall she played well but I think due to the circumstances she just didn’t handle it as well,” she said.

The 2021 Giorgio Baldacci women’s national champion is hoping to avenge last year’s finals loss this time around.

“It feels great. I am just grateful to be in the finals. A lot of the girls played really well and so it is just great to have that opportunity again. I am very excited to face Simone again because this is a second chance for me to play her and see how I can learn from my mistakes from last time. Regardless of the result, I think it is a win for me because I came into this tournament with gratitude and I did my best so I look forward to playing tomorrow,” she said. 

Tennis action will resume at noon today at the NTC. The finals along with the bronze medal matchups will be played.