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Lines bows out of tournament

Nick Lines’ hopes of a consolation title at the JITIC tennis tournament in Dominican Republic ended on Wednesday when he was beaten by Jamaican Andrew Bicknell.In a match of three short sets that lasted the best part of two hours on the slippery Club Claro courts, Lines broke the Jamaican’s serve and went into a 3-0 lead. But Bicknell came charging back to even things up and go ahead himself 4-3.Bicknell proved handy around the net, forcing Lines to go for winners. But that plan backfired as the Jamaican made a few crucial volley errors of his own and the scoreline was suddenly even at four-all. The first set tie-break went to Lines 7-4.Bicknell continued to charge forward in the second set and even found himself on his backside a couple of times due to the slippery surface. But it was worth it as he took the second set comfortably 4-1.The third set was a back and forth encounter.At 3-2 the Jamaican was serving for the set and match. Lines broke serve for three-all and then went ahead four games to three.However, fatigue set in and Lines could not close out the match on his serve as he was broken to bring the match to another tie-break to decide the outcome.Lines surged a 5-2 lead with his two service points to come. But the gutsy Jamaican threw caution to the wind and forced his way back, winning the next two points on his serve and go on to take the tie-break 7-5 and claim the consolation prize.In doubles action, Bermuda also went down in a tough two-setter as Courtland and Billy Boyle lost to the Mexican pair of Edgar Chicurel and Pablo Guerra 7-6 (4), 6-4.This was a match of contrasting styles as the Mexicans served with a topspin ground stroke motion which is a legal serve. It was unnerving for the Boyles as they were taken out of their normal rhythm.“It was something that Bermuda simply had to adapt to,” said coach Jerome Bradshaw. “They did well in the first set. From two games all, Bermuda found themselves serving for the first set at five games to two. The Mexicans decided it was time to take a few risks; they took away the pace on their returns and charged the net. This allowed them to utilise their touch around the net and angled punch volleys.“The Mexicans brought the set to six games all. They continued their dominance to take the tie-break seven points to four.“Needing a change and recognising some errors from Pablo and Edgar, Courtland decided to ‘play back’ at the baseline. There was some success until the Mexicans took advantage of the wider target area to play their returns into. Adjustments and readjustments continued and soon it was three games all in the second set. There was ebb and flow with the games and the pressure mounted.”This Bermuda Under-16 team have now played their final matches while the Under-14s play continues for all players.