The East Asia Pacific tennis tournament got off to a great start yesterday with competitors from the Cook Islands, Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga taking to the courts for the first day of competition.

The tournament was declared open by Cabinet Minister Wilkie Rasmussen before the competition got going.

The under 12 boys headed up to the Tereora College courts where they had the most successful day, getting through two rounds of games.

Back at the Nikao Tennis Centre, things were a bit slow but the kids weren’t complaining.

Some great tennis was seen on court with the under 12 division having the largest field of players along with the under 18 boys division.

A number of local players had to be paired up against each other on court but games were no less passionate and hard fought between the mates.

Samoa and Tonga players seemed to have more success on the court on the first day of games, however, the Cook Islands and American Samoa players are just getting warmed up!

Afternoon rain saw a short stoppage in games which resumed before dark set in.

All players are again expected to be at the Nikao Tennis Centre by 7.30am before games start at 8am.

Games will run right through to Friday with the under 14 boys and girls, under 18 girls and under 12 girls finals to be played on Thursday followed by the under 12 and under 18 boys finals on Friday.

The afternoon rain yesterday really put a spanner in the works for organisers who say the doubles division of the tournament may not be played due to the delays caused by the rain.

Tournament director Andrew Mailtorok was especially pleased to see the number of under 12 tennis players in the competition saying that this just means great things for the future of tennis in the region.

If you have time today, why not pop along to the tennis courts in Nikao and cheer the kids on during your lunch break they will appreciate it.

- Matariki Wilson

Day one results:

Girls under 18 – Duchnak (ASA) def Marearai (CI) 6-0, 6-1, Caruthers (SAM) def Whitta (CI) 6-0, 6-0, Maui (CI) def Koteka (CI) 6-1, 6-2.

Girls under 14 – Afemui (TGA) def Pynenburg (CI) 6-0, 6-2, Bonin (SAM) def Kaitu’u (TGA) 6-1, 6-0, Tapusoa (SAM) def Beddoes (CI) 6-4, 1-6, 6-2.

Under 12 girls – Sagiao (ASA) def Gibson (CI) 6-0, 6-0, Reupena (SAM) def Vakatini (CI) 6-3, 6-2, Ripley (SAM) def Sword-Tua (CI) 6-0, 6-2, Sword-Tua (CI) def Gibson (CI) 6-1, 6-2, Sagiao (ASA) def Vakatini (CI) 6-4, 6-2.

Under 18 boys – Nicholas (CI) def Pynenburg (CI) 6-1, 6-0, Beddoes (CI) def Hunter (SAM) 6-0, 6-1, Pickering (CI) def Wigmore (CI) 6-1, 7-5.

Under 14 boys – Neururer (CI) def Bergman (CI) 6-3, 6-0, Payne (CI) def Vinsen (CI) 6-0, 6-0, Akoteu (TGA) vs Sisifa (TGA) 7-5, 6-3, Hunter (SAM) vs Samau (SAM) 6-1, 6-0

Under 12 boys – Cronin (SAM) def Magalasin (ASA) 6-2, 6-1, Afemui (TGA) def T. Williams (CI) 3-6, 7-5, 7-5, Maukoloa (ASA) def Turupe (CI) 6-2, 6-0, Cronin (SAM) def T. Williams (CI) 6-0, 6-1, Maukoloa (ASA) def Magalasin (ASA) 6-0, 6-0, Afemui (TGA) def Terupe (CI) 6-1, 6-0 , S. Williams (CI) def Ramanlal (TGA) 5-7, 6-3, 7-5, Ducknak (ASA) def Woods (CI) 6-0, 6-0, Tongi (TGA) def Toelupe (SAM)7-6, 6-4, S. Williams (CI) def Woods (CI) 6-0, 6-4.

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