Ruthless Lama thrashes Jarry in final

Gonzalo Lama admitted he had expected a tougher final after crushing compatriot Nicolás Jarry in the final of the Copa Motorola at Club Providencia.

Providencia – A bumper crowd turned out expecting to see an exciting final between Chilean number three Lama, the top seed, and promising youngster Jarry.

However, it turned into something of a damp squib as Lama (334) cruised to a 6-1, 6-2 success to take the Futures 1 title.

In the first set, Lama raced into a 5-0 lead as his 18-year-old opponent paid dearly for double faults and over-hitting. The unseeded Jarry (717) finally got on the board, but Lama quickly polished off the first set.

The second set looked as though it would be a different affair when Jarry took a 2-0 lead. The beanpole Chilean began to power in some serves and show glimpses of his quality, but it didn´t last.

Lama upped his game and Jarry began to make more unforced errors. When Lama held on to his serve to take a 4-2 lead, he had the final under control again, while Jarry hit double faults at key moments.

The 20-year-old showed no mercy and took the second set 6-2 to wrap up the match.

Afterwards, the victor said: “I was definitely expecting a tougher final, but I was very quick onto his serves and that was a key factor in my win.

“I wanted to be alert from the first point and I did it to perfection. He was a little erratic and I knew how to take advantage. I´m happy to have won another title in Chile.”

Lama felt experience had been another factor in his surprisingly easy victory, but is confident Jarry has a bright future ahead of him.

He added: “It was his second final, but I think when he plays another he´s going to play much better because he´s a great player.”

Meanwhile, Chile´s hopes of a victory in the women´s ranks were dashed when Fernanda Brito lost in the final to top seed Gabriela Ce.

Ce took the first set 6-3, but fifth seed Brito (559) looked set to level things up when she took a 5-3 lead in the second set. She was playing brilliantly, but she couldn´t finish the job.

In total, she squandered five set points as Ce (288) fought back to take the set – and the match – 7-5.

Tags: Fernanda Brito, Gonzalo Lama, Nicolás Jarry, tennis