By TENAJH SWEETING

Tribune Sports Reporter

tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association’s (BLTA) 2024 Fidelity Spring Classic Tournament is off to a rousing start for juniors at the National Tennis Centre (NTC).

Despite the rainy weather over the weekend, juniors in the U12, U14, U16 and U18 divisions made their mark to advance to today’s semifinals and beyond. Action will continue this morning at 9am.

Tatyana Madu, who won the U14 girls crown last year, has returned with the same poise that earned her the trophy last time around. Playing in the no.1 singles position, Madu bested Jasleen Salkey comfortably 6-1, 6-2 on Sunday to book a spot in today’s U16 girls semifinals against Caitlyn Pratt.

Madu had to overcome a shaky start to the match by her standards but quickly rounded into form to advance to the next round.

“My match was pretty good. I played my game. It took a while for me to get into the match because the balls were more fresh to me but once I got my rhythm it was smooth sailing,” she said.

For the former U14 girls champion, her strategy was simple - finish it off.

“After I won that first set, the first few games in the second set she started to crack a bit. She did start trying to get back into the game towards the end but I just finished it,” she said.

Today, Madu is hoping to play her game to the best of her abilities which will hopefully lead to a win.

She has a busy day ahead of her at the NTC as she will also face Jalisa Clarke in the U18 girls singles finals. Clarke dropped Aryauna Davis 6-1, 6-2 to make it to the final round.

Patrick Mactaggart won the U14 boys division last year and is determined not to leave the Fidelity Spring Classic empty-handed. He outlasted Reeves Mahelis in straight sets 6-0,6-0 to now await his semifinals opponent.

Mactaggart will match up against the winner of the quarterfinals between no. 4 Jack Boals and Chase Newbold. After a relatively smooth victory, the former champion is confident going into today’s matchup.

“I feel very good after winning this match 6-0,6-0.

“Tomorrow is a new day and I am feeling very strong and confident in my game. I would say I am definitely ready for tomorrow,” he said.

Similar to Madu, Mactaggart will also play in a second match but in the U14 boys singles division.

He is slated to face Julius Williams in the quarterfinals.

Meanwhile, no. 3 Ayai Bethel will go head-to-head against Chase Newbold for a chance at making it to the U14 boys finals.

In today’s finals match-ups, Pratt and Briana Houlgrave will battle it out on the court for bragging rights in the U14 girls division.

The former defeated Danielle Saunders 6-2, 6-1 while the latter knocked off Sarae Rodgers 6-0, 6-0.

Jackson Mactaggart is set to face Panagiotis Mousis and Isaiah Cambridge will meet Boals in the U18 boys semifinals today.