Primary school student Phillips kicking up a storm in Florida

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Promising tennis player Daniel Phillips will resume his quest for age group honours when play resumes today at the Little Mo International Junior Championships in Florida.

The Somerset Primary student produced some sparkling tennis at the weekend belying his tender years to book his place in today’s Under-8 boys semi-final where he will face Columbia’s Felipe Pinzon.

Phillips won his first and second round matches against Americans Calvin Wellman and Xiann Palenque.

He jumped out to what seemed to be a comfortable 4-0 lead in the first set of his first round match with Wellman. But unforced errors allowed Wellman to draw level at 5-5 before Phillips took the et 7-5.

The Bermudian had an easier time in the second set which he won 6-3.

Phillips then got past Xiann Palenque who he beat 6-1, 6-4 to advance to the quarter-finals.

The Temple of Tennis player saved his best for the quarter-final clash with tournament favourite Alexi Khamrotau of Belarus who he beat 7-5, 6-2 to advance to the last four.

Temple of Tennis director Sammy Maybury said the youngster has become popular for exceeding the expectations of many in Florida.

“Daniel has become the talk of the town because he’s younger than all of his rivals,” the former top local pro added.

“People are amazed by his composure under pressure — he’s not nervous at all in terms of being aggressive with his shots.”

Maybury said Phillips appeared to be “peaking at the right time” ahead of hsi semi-final clash.

“He’s really looking sharp and focused and we’ve had some extra sessions to keep him up to speed,” he added.

For his outstanding performances in singles play Phillips, who won his age group at this year’s Frinton Junior Open in Essex, England, he has been invited to partner with Peru’s Ignacio Buse in doubles play.

In the lead-up to the Little Mo International Junior Championships, Phillips underwent intense training that included kemetic yoga, meditation and sparring matches against older and stronger opponents which appears to be paying dividends.

Also competing in Florida are Phillips’ sister Imani and Ricky Mallory III.

Imani lost to Sweden’s Viktoria Jonason 6-2, 6-2 in her second round match in the Under-10 girls after receiving a first-round bye. She also went down 6-3, 6-0 to USA’s Taylor Kopan in the first round consolation match.

Mallory started off on a promising note after prevailing 6-2, 6-4 against Canadian Vladimar Van in his first round match in the Under-10 boys age group. However, he bowed out after losing 6-0, 6-2 to top seed Jameson Corsillo (USA) in the second round.

Mallory’s match with Corsillo was played near top women’s player Venus Williams who was practising on a nearby court at the PGA Sheraton West Palm Beach tennis facility.

Accompanying the trio of junior players in Florida are Temple of Tennis executives Ricky Mallory, Sarah Fellows, Maybury and coach Gavin Manders.

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