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Friday, January 23, 2026
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Ole Miss Sweep Singles to overcome Phillips & Tulane in Oxford
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The Ole Miss men’s tennis team extended their undefeated start to the season, overcoming an early setback in doubles to secure a 6 - 1 victory over Tulane at the William F. Galtney Indoor Tennis Center.
The Green Wave started strong by capturing the opening doubles point. While the Rebels secured a dominant win on court three, Tulane responded with a victory on court two to level the proceedings. In the third and final set of doubles on court one, No. 11 Isac Strömberg and Kai Milburn faced off against Daniel Phillips and Lance Nisbet in a high-stakes battle. The Tulane duo ultimately prevailed in a tense tiebreaker, winning 7-6 with a 7-4 score in the breaker to put the visitors ahead.
The momentum shifted dramatically as the match moved into singles competition, with Ole Miss reeling off six straight victories to dismantle the Tulane lead. Pietro Pampanin and Matthieu Chambonniere picked up efficient wins on courts three and two to put the Rebels ahead 2-1, followed by a clinical performance from Benjamin Martin on court five to extend the lead.
The final match of the day featured a grueling three-set battle between freshman Stefano D'Agostino and Phillips on court one. Phillips initially looked to be in control after taking the opening set 6-3, but D’Agostino fought back to force a deciding 10-point tiebreaker.
In a finish that kept the crowd on edge, D'Agostino emerged victorious with a 10-8 win in the tiebreaker, sealing the result with an ace. The win improves Ole Miss to 5-0 on the year, while Tulane drops to 1-1 following their season-opening win over Southern University.
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Thursday, January 22, 2026
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Heyliger is the ITF's New Caribbean Development Officer
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Growing the game from the ground up and creating opportunities for players everywhere to chase their dreams are key purposes of the ITF and what the world governing body is all about.
To this end, whether directly or through its member nations, the ITF reinvests 90 per cent of its income each year into the game. This helps to grow tennis for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.
Improving the sport for future generations is also key, while the global development of tennis, particularly within underrepresented nations, will always be a priority.
Key to implementing the ITF’s development strategy is the highly regarded Development Officers’ programme, which has a wide-ranging remit but essentially relates to the developmental boots on the ground.
Under the supervision of the ITF and by working closely with National and Regional Associations, Development Officers oversee the delivery of education, participation, performance, events, facilities and resources and admin.
In practical terms, this means establishing the ITF Junior Tennis Initiative in a particular nation, conducting coaches’ courses, helping to recognise & upgrade facilities and ensuring a promising player has the necessary support to pursue their career – and much more besides.
Starting this month, Evan Heyliger of Bermuda will assume the role of ITF Development Officer for the Caribbean, taking over from John Goede who had been in position since 2015.
Heyliger, who is fluent in English and Spanish, is a level two ITF-certified coach with extensive experience within this field, while he is also a certified personal trainer, strength and conditioning coach and nutritionist.
Since 2014, Heyliger has worked as a tennis coach with the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association while more recently he has been a national junior tennis coach with the federation, working with his nations most talented youngsters.
“It is a real privilege to be appointed as the ITF Development Officer for the Caribbean and I am looking forward to getting started and making a difference across the region,” said Heyliger, who is a Bachelor of International Business.
“I bring energy, positivity and dedication to every opportunity and I intend to bring this to the table as I contribute to the ongoing development of tennis across the Caribbean.
“My whole career has centred around developing athletes and helping them to become smarter, healthier, happier and more skilful. I want to bring these qualities to the role of ITF Development Officer and make a difference on a wider scale.”
Luca Santilli, the ITF’s Executive Director of Tennis Development, added: “We are incredibly excited to work with Evan as tennis across the Caribbean continues to grow and develop.
“Evan is a very talented individual who knows the region well. We cannot wait to see him build upon the excellent work done by John Goede and take tennis development across the Caribbean to new heights.”
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Wednesday, January 21, 2026
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Davis Cup: Spotlight on Wayne Montgomery
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Bermuda’s upcoming World Group II play-off against Georgia has received a significant injection of professional experience following the inclusion of former world-ranked junior Wayne Montgomery in the national squad.
The 30-year-old South African, who has resided on the island for five years, is set to make his debut for the red and blue when the team travels to Cyprus for the historic tie on February 6th and 7th.
Montgomery brings a level of technical pedigree rarely seen in the local game, having once occupied the number seven spot in the ITF world junior rankings. His career highlights include reaching the quarter-finals of both the US Open and Australian Open as a junior, as well as a doubles semi-final appearance at Wimbledon.
For National Tennis Director and team captain Ricky Mallory Jr., Montgomery represents a "veteran addition" capable of anchoring a team that already boasts the youthful energy of Daniel Phillips, Trey Mallory, and fellow newcomer Zachary McGuire. Montgomery’s transition to the national team follows years of dominance on the local circuit, where he has consistently bested the island’s top talent in premier events like the Deloitte Open.
Before moving to Bermuda, Montgomery established himself as one of the most successful players in the history of the University of Georgia’s tennis program. A First-Team All-SEC selection, he famously became the first outright repeat winner of the Southern Intercollegiate Championships since American legend John Isner. This high-pressure experience in the NCAA’s elite tier will be vital as Bermuda looks to navigate the step up to World Group II for the first time in their history.
Montgomery’s selection has been described as a "tremendous honour," with the player expressing his gratitude to the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association for the opportunity to showcase his skills on the global stage. While primarily known as a singles specialist during his time on the ATP and ITF tours, he has proven equally adept in doubles, providing Captain Mallory with significant tactical flexibility for the five-match series in Larnaca.
The decision to include Montgomery over established squad members like Tariq Simons has signaled a shift toward a "high-performance" focus for this specific tie. Despite the competitive nature of the selection process, the squad has maintained a united front, with Simons publicly backing Montgomery and the "fair" trial process that saw him earn his spot.
The tie, originally slated for Georgia but moved to Cyprus due to facility issues in the host nation, will be played on the hard courts of the Herodotou Tennis Academy. With Montgomery’s professional consistency now integrated into the lineup, Bermuda heads into the Mediterranean encounter with their strongest technical foundation in years.
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Tuesday, January 20, 2026
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Davis Cup: Spotlight on Zachary McGuire
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As IslandStats.com continues its exclusive series profiling the Bermuda Men’s Davis Cup team ahead of their historic World Group II clash in Cyprus, we turn our attention to Zachary McGuire.
Bermuda’s top-ranked junior, McGuire, is set to make his senior international breakthrough after being named in the national squad for next month’s historic Davis Cup World Group II play-off against Georgia.
McGuire’s inclusion in the four-man roster marks a significant milestone for the 17-year-old, who secured his place on the plane to Cyprus through a series of dominant performances in the domestic trial matches. The Saltus Grammar School student will join professional lights Daniel Phillips and Trey Mallory, alongside veteran addition Wayne Montgomery, for the tie scheduled to take place on February 6th and 7th at the Herodotou Tennis Academy in Larnaca.
The selection of McGuire follows a rigorous internal play-off process overseen by National Tennis Director and team captain Ricky Mallory Jr. While Phillips and Mallory received automatic berths due to their ATP ranking points, the remaining spots were decided on the court. Maguire proved his readiness for the "big boys' arena" by defeating established senior players, including a hard-fought victory over long-time teammate Tariq Simons, to cement his status as the island's premier young talent.
McGuire is no stranger to the international stage, having previously captained Bermuda’s Junior Davis Cup side. However, the step up to World Group II represents the highest level the island has ever competed at in the competition’s history. For the young right-hander, who is committed to join NCAA Division 1 program Sacred Heart University in August, the opportunity is the fulfillment of a long-held ambition.
The move to Cyprus comes after facility issues in the original host nation of Georgia forced a late change of venue. Despite the Mediterranean backdrop, Georgia remains the official host of the hard-court encounter. Bermuda heads into the tie with significant momentum following their promotion from Americas Group III last summer, and the addition of a "younger, fitter" player like Maguire is seen as a key component of the squad's technical depth.
McGuire’s ascent has been met with praise from both coaches and peers. Former teammate Tariq Simons, who was edged out by the teenager during the trials, noted that the 17-year-old has "earned his spot" through sheer consistency and work rate. Captain Ricky Mallory echoed these sentiments, highlighting Maguire’s composure as a defining factor in his selection.
With the countdown to the February 6th opener now in its final stages, McGuire is focused on learning from the seasoned professionals around him while aiming to contribute to what could be another historic chapter for Bermudian tennis. Should the team overcome Georgia, they would secure a permanent spot in World Group II, moving Bermuda further into the global spotlight of the Davis Cup.
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Saturday, January 17, 2026
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Phillips & Tulane Sweep aside Southern in 2026 Opener
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Tulane’s men’s tennis team began their 2026 spring campaign in emphatic fashion, securing a comprehensive 7-0 victory over Southern University at the City Park Tennis Center.
The Green Wave, looking to build on a promising autumn, showed no signs of rust as they dominated from the first serve to the last, clinching every point available in a clinical display on home soil.
Bermudian standout Daniel Phillips, spearheading the lineup in the number one singles spot, set the tone for the afternoon. Phillips was in imperious form, dismantling Southern’s Lwazi Ngwenya in a one-sided straight-sets victory, 6-1, 6-0.
Earlier in the day, Phillips had paired with Lance Nisbet in the doubles competition. The duo were well on their way to a victory of their own, leading Ngwenya and Mpho Leshoele 5-3, before the match was left unfinished as Tulane’s other pairings secured the doubles point for the hosts.
While the victory provides a perfect start for Tulane, the coming weeks carry extra significance for Phillips. The junior is currently finalising his preparations for Bermuda’s Davis Cup World Group II play-off against Georgia.
Phillips is expected to travel to Cyprus for the tie, which takes place on February 6th and 7th. He will lead a four-man squad including Trey Mallory, Wayne Montgomery, and Zachary McGuire, as Bermuda looks to build on their historic promotion achieved last summer.
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