Phillips falls in semis

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Temple of Tennis player Daniel Phillips endured mixed fortunes at the Little Mo International Junior Championship in Florida yesterday.

The promising youngster lost his Under-8 boys singles semi-final match with Columbia’s Felipe Pinzon but advanced to the doubles final with Peruvian partner Ignacio Buse.

Phillips’ hopes of reaching the singles final on his maiden full court international debut were dashed when he suffered a 6-3, 7-5 defeat against Pinzon.

He started off promisingly, racing out to a 3-1 lead in the opening set before his rival regrouped and won the remaining five games to take the set and place himself in the driver’s seat.

“Daniel looked very sharp in the beginning but the young guy adjusted his game and took the next five games with some really good points,” said Temple of Tennis director Sammy Maybury who is among those accompanying the Somerset Primary student in Florida.

Despite falling behind, Phillips showed great character in the second set, said Maybury. He threatened to force the game to a tiebreaker after leading on three occasions before his rival finished the match off in a flurry.

“He really looked like he was going to take the second set but unfortunately in the end the guy came up with two brilliant shots back to back from deuce to close it out,” added Maybury. “Daniel held his composure under pressure and his behaviour was first class. Bermuda would be proud of the way he has handled himself throughout the tournament.”

Phillips will now face Egypt’s Omar Elsamahay today to determine third and fourth place in the singles competition.

The young Bermudian reached today’s doubles final after he and partner Buse prevailed 9-7 against Americans Seth Neitlich and Chase Robinson in the semi-finals in the eight-game format.

Phillips was invited to partner with Buse after impressing in play.

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