Industry (GBTI) Independence Jubilee Lawn Tennis Championships…
Afruica Gentle and Cristy Campbell are the new Ladies Doubles champions after they turned in an excellent display to win Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) Independence Jubilee title on Friday at the Bank’s recreational facility in Bel Air.
The new partnership took on the top seeded ladies Aretta Dey and Nicola Ramdyhan in a contest which was expected to be a highly competitive one, but went quite comfortable for the winners.
Gentle who won the category last year with Carol Humphrey created a flawless transition with Campbell. Gentle/Campbell started strong with a 5-1 lead. A little complacency crept in the game of Gentle/Campbell which was pounced on by Dey/Ramdyhan to close the lead to 5-3.
However, the two resolved not to allow them back in the match and were seen whispering strategies to close out the set. Campbell stabilized the combo and converted to win the set easily at 6-3. The play of the second set mirrored the first but it was no wasting of time. Gentle/Campbell clenched a 6-1 to engrave their names in the history at the GBTI Recreational Centre winning in straight sets 6-3, 6-1.
In a post-match interview Cristy Campbell stated that “It is a good feeling to win because my partner and I complimented each other very well and we communicated throughout the match. I believe communication was the key.”
As the GBTI Independence Jubilee draws to a close, the quality of games has improved.
Afruica Gentle (left) and Cristy Campbell
Last Friday Men’s Open Singles fourth seed Benjettan Osborne fell at the hands of assistant coach Nicholas Glasgow who has been working hard on his fitness in the last few months to make his mark. From the onset, the match was declared to be one of high drama and fierce groundstrokes as Osborne is not one to shy away from a challenge. A simple player analysis anticipated that Glasgow’s heavy serves and big ground strokes would play into the wheelhouse of Osborne who absorbs pace well and return with equal amount of power. However, Osbourne was caught off-guard by the low forehand and backhand slices of Glasgow, losing the first set 7-5 after it was locked at 5-5.
The second set had similar game style and prolonged rallies but an apparent injury hampered the movement of Osborne. A focused Glasgow wasted no time to secure the set at 6-2 and marched unto face #1 seed Anthony Downes in the semifinals which is scheduled for Tuesday June 21.
After witnessing Afruica Gentle defeat her coach Shelly Daly in the Ladies Open Singles semifinals, spectators craved a similar outcome in Friday night’s match. The 14 yr old Heimraj Resaul fiercely challenged the Men’s Single number two seed, Coach Leyland Leacock in the Men’s Open Singles quarterfinals. Leacock’s usual strategy is to prolong the game as long as possible to tire his opponent, this time being Resaul. The youngster played freely to equal at 5 games each. Unfortunately he lost his service game which left the door opened for Leacock to close the set at 7-5.
Destined to cause a rift in the course of the match, Resaul’s fast pace serves brought him to 1-0 in the second set. Leacock responded by keeping a hold on serve, bringing games to 1-1. Resaul experienced a break in set at 2-1, after which Leacock held serve at 2-2. With most points resulting in lengthy rallies and deuce points, Resaul’s speedy ground strokes and forceful forehand awarded him winners. His gutsy play and fearless tennis awarded him a four game streak to win the second set at 6-2.
The third set of the approximately two and a half hours match was unpredictable after viewing both players drive to reach the semifinals to play Daniel Lopes. Experienced Leacock opened by holding his service game and Resaul followed suit. Leacock broke to take a 2-1 lead and eventually raced to 4-1. Struggling to avoid falling behind, Resaul held and broke serve to trail Leacock at a one game difference of 3-4. The game came to a critical juncture as youth and experience clashed. It was imperative of Resaul to hold to put some semblance of pressure. Failing to convert his game points Leacock inched to a 5-3 lead. He then resorted to playing the ball safe to not jeopardize his lead. This tactic awarded Leacock the game to advance to the semifinals at 7-5, 2-6, 6-3.
Complete results for the day: Men’s Open Singles Quarterfinals: Nicholas Glasgow def Benjettan Osborne 7-5, 6-2, Leyland Leacock def Heimraj Resaul 7-5, 2-6, 6-3
Ladies Open Doubles Finals: A. Gentle/C. Campbell def A. Dey/N. Ramdyhan.
