The Bermuda Under-16 singles boys’ team endured mixed fortunes at the Junior International Tennis Championships for Central America and the Caribbean in El Salvador yesterday.

Playing on the hard-court surface at the El Salvador National Tennis Federation, Ricky Mallory Jr came from behind to beat Alberto Gutierrez, of Honduras, 7-5, 6-0, 6-3, while Scott Redmond lost in straight sets 6-0, 6-0 against sixth-seed Patrick Sydow of Aruba.

Redmond put up a courageous battle but was well out of his depth against Sydow who recently played in the final of the Orange Bowl — one of the biggest youth tournaments in Florida.

“Scott started out a bit nervous playing his match against the number-six seed and even though he went down 6-0, 6-0, I was impressed with how he competed and fought for every point,” said Richard Mallory, the Bermuda coach and tennis director. “He never got down on himself and remained positive.”

Mallory ensured Bermuda ended the day on a more positive note with a hard-fought victory.

Mallory was up 4-2 in the first set but allowed his opponent a way back through a series of unforced errors that took their toll as Gutierrez won the opening set.

Mallory was more aggressive in the second set, taking only 20 minutes to blow his opponent off court to even the match.

He then kept the pressure on Gutierrez in the third and deciding set to come away victorious.

“Ricky started out a little slow trying to adjust to the faster surface on court two,” coach Mallory said. “A few unforced errors cost him the first set but on the change he regrouped and changed his defensive strategy and took the game to his opponent.”

Mallory and Redmond qualified for the main draw at the weekend.

Bermuda is among ten countries at the championships, which began last Saturday.

The under-16 event is taking place from July 23 to 30 and the under-14 event from July 31 to August 7.

As well as representing the island in the under-16 boys’ division, Mallory will compete in the under-14 boys along with Benjamin Jones, while Shelby Madeiros is competing for Bermuda among the under-14 girls.

Redmond and Madeiros are both making their international debuts in El Salvador.

Bermuda’s under-14 team will be coached by Steve Bean, a former Bermuda Davis Cup player.