RichardsJAMAICA'S FEDERATION Cup team notched its first victory of the America Zone Group 3 tournament in Antigua yesterday when it swept past Trinidad and Tobago 2-0 in the playoffs for positions 9-12.
Tinesta Rowe got by Tenille Elais 6-3, 6-4 and Kadija Richards accounted for Lisa Fung Kee Fung 6-2, 6-3 to clinch the singles match-ups and set up a clash today with El Salvador for ninth position in the 14-team tournament.
"The girls performed pretty good today and we are looking to win as well tomorrow," captain Llockett McGregor said after yesterday's tie.
"El Salvador is a very good team and the country has a tradition of producing good players. I give us a 50-50 chance," he said.
No. 1 Richards and No. 3 Rowe will again lead the singles charge. Ailing Jamaica No. 2 Alexandra Chong may be called upon if the tie comes down to a decisive doubles encounter.
"Alexandra has not been well but she has a big heart and she just wants to play," McGregor said.
Puerto Rico, who defeated Jamaica 3-0 on Thursday in zonal action, and the Bahamas advanced to Group 2 with semi-final victories yesterday.
Puerto Rico downed Cuba 2-1 and the Bahamas got by Costa Rica by the same margin.
The Bahamas have been the surprise team of the event staged at the Carlisle Bay Hotel courts.
"They have played well but they were also helped by the draw," McGregor said. "They had a pretty easy group and then they came up against Costa Rica, not the strongest team ... still, full credit to them," he said.
