Asif Suban edged a close game from the left hander, Surendra Khayyam 6-4, 6-4 as action in the Rebel Tennis Club (RTC) Championship proceeded with exciting matches over the weekend.
Harry Panday’s court has provided a haven of tennis enthusiasm. It was a gruelling two hours between the two competitors. The pendulum of momentum swung back and forth with many deuce games. Khayyam quickly took the lead in the first set 2-0. Suban found calmness and competitiveness to level and secured the first set. The two players traded breaks in the first six games before Suban held and broke to secure the win.
Last year’s runner-up and second seed, Cristy Campbell played a solid match against Fiona Bushell to book a spot in the semifinal against Grace McCalman. Bushell, who has a consistent and flat striking style, fell to Campbell 6-0, 6-0. Despite the score, Bushell took her game to Campbell, but with great composure Campbell saved all five break points and took six of the 11 break chances on Bushell’s serves.
Cristi Campbell
Men’s number one seed, Anthony Downes outgunned Philbert Clarke in 28 minutes. Downes surrendered just six points in the first set. Clarke was on the verge of making things interesting in the second set when he raced to 40-0 lead, but Downes was in no mood to extend his stay on court, he quickly ended the match 6-0, 6-0.
Benjettan Osborne, who has made his mark in the top five of the Men’s singles, had rallied to beat Harry Panday in straight sets 6-3, 6-1 and secured a place in the quarterfinals. This is the second time the two have faced each other in the past month and the tactical game of both players were heightened. Osborne, who appeared shaky in the first set, managed to break Panday in the sixth game to take a one-break lead for 4-2. Panday consistently rallied to return the favour by breaking at love to go back on serve. It was evident after the changeover that Osborne was not going to relax. Sensing Panday’s determination to make this match competitive, Osborne turned up the heat and went on to win eight of the last nine games to secure the match.
Al Razick of Canada moved into the round of 16 after Raymond Callendar of the USA failed to show up for his match. Play will continue this weekend at the Harry Panday Court.
