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Bermuda's top juniors have the chance to test their abilities against tennis players from across the world this week as the Bank of Bermuda ITF world ranking tournament kicks off at W.E.R. Joell Stadium.

David Thomas, 17, who returns from Davis Cup action in El Salvador just in time for his round one clash on Wednesday, is the island's best hope in the boy's draw having been given a wildcard entry to the tournament.

Niem Azar, who has been playing on the junior circuit has enough ranking points, to take his place alongside Thomas in the main draw.

Of the girls Ashley Brooks, who was in action this week in the Island Construction Open at Pomander Gate, will be in the main draw along with Morgan Lightbourne and seven others.

Organiser David Lambert said the tournament also brought to Bermuda some of the best players from Canada, U.S., England, France and the Caribbean.

He said the tournament was part of the ITF summer circuit — a series of junior tournaments where young players could accumulate world-ranking points to help them qualify for major events such as the junior US Open.

He said the key for all Bermuda's juniors to progress was to play more tournaments on the summer circuit and get exposure to higher quality opposition. "This tournament gives them the opportunity to play against other top juniors but it also shows them that once a year is not enough. They need to be playing the other tournaments on the summer circuit."[[In-content Ad]]

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