Bounty Farm Ltd. Handicap Squash Tournament

Feb 06, 2009 Sports

World rated Fernandes survives stern test

Nicolette Fernandes

Allan Downes nearly caused the biggest upset of the tournament when he came within one point of knocking out world rated Nicolette Fernandes in their second round encounter as play in the Bounty Farm Ltd Squash Tournament continued on Wednesday evening, at the Georgetown Club.

Kristina Cheeks

The second night of action produced some exciting matches with many of the top players being pushed to the limit by their less accomplished opponents.
Starting with a handicap of -35 against Downes’ +8, Fernandes moved impressively in the first game and pounced on everything loose to take the first set.
The second stanza started much like the first, but several lapses of concentration by Fernandes allowed Downes to get to 12, while she was still at -25. With his confidence growing Downes grasped his opportunity to level the match as he pushed himself to retrieve everything Fernandes threw at him and eventually tied the contest, sending it into a decider.

Victoria Arjoon

After some early slips in the third, Fernandes settled down and found her rhythm, moving through her handicap quite comfortably, until Downes produced some excellent plays to reach match ball with his opponent still at -2.
It was a nervous next few minutes as the pair engaged in seventeen (17) rallies with Downes on match ball, and Fernandes scrambling to retrieve some excellent shots by Downes as he attempted to end the match.
In the end, the superior experience of Fernandes was the decisive factor as she held her nerves and wrapped up the set and match to advance to the next round.
Category A Plate
Randy Hope (-15) defeated Alexander Cheeks (+10): 15/11, 15/13
Ryan Da Silva (-5) defeated Nicholas Peters (+6): 15/13, 15/11
Daniel Persaud (+2) defeated Patrick Fraser (+8): 15/11, 15/13
Kristina Cheeks (+6) defeated Ongelle Burnett (+10): 13/15, 15/12, 15/12
Category A second round
Ashley deGroot (-8) defeated Taylor Fernandes (+12): 15/13 15/13
Open Category second Round

Alexander Arjoon

Mary Fung-A-Fat (+10) defeated Lloyd Fung-A-Fat (+8): 15/12 16/17 15/12
Victoria Arjoon (+12) received a walkover from Ashley Khalil (0)
Juan Carlos Lazo (+8) defeated Luca Palazzotto (+12): 15/13 15/13
Nicolette Fernandes (-35) defeated Allan Downes (+8): 15/12 -17/15 15/14
Michael Atherley (+10) defeated Alex Gouveia (+8): 15/9 15/12
David Fernandes (+12) defeated Oliver Kear-Downes (-20): 15/-16 15/-14
Alexander Arjoon (-25) defeated Medharishi Ramdhani (+8): 15/12 15/12.