Bermuda’s elite Pickleball stars have delivered a masterclass in regional dominance, storming into the final of the Team Caribbean Championships with an unblemished record.
The Bermuda Open Elite squad, featuring a potent mix of experience and youth in Gavin Manders, Sasha Fisher, Melisa Judd, Lily Hallett, Naphisa Smith, Ben Jones, Patricia Mills, Jamie Stowe Jr., Tom Mills, and Mical Ryssell, remained undefeated throughout a clinical group stage campaign. Their journey began with an emphatic statement in the opening round, where they dismantled Trinidad and Tobago in a 5–1 victory, while Jamaica signaled their own intentions with a 4–2 win over the Cayman Islands.
The momentum continued into the second round as Bermuda faced their toughest group test against Jamaica. In a high-quality encounter, the Bermudian side showed superior composure in the decisive sets to secure a 4–2 win, effectively taking control of the standings. Meanwhile, the Cayman Islands kept their hopes alive by mirroring that scoreline in a victory over Trinidad and Tobago.
Bermuda's clinical edge was sharpened further in the final group matches as they produced a 4–0 shutout against the Cayman Islands, ensuring they entered the knockout stages with maximum points. Jamaica followed suit with a 3–1 win over Trinidad to secure the secondary qualification spot.
The semi-final stage proved to be more of the same for the tournament favorites, as Bermuda once again refused to drop a single match in a 4–0 demolition of Trinidad and Tobago. While Bermuda comfortably awaits their opponent in the showpiece final, the other semi-final remains on a knife-edge with the Cayman Islands and Jamaica currently locked at 1–1. Should they maintain this unrelenting form, Manders and his teammates appear well-positioned to bring the regional crown back to the island.
|
