Lopes/Andrews, Persaud/Fraser win marathon matches in Trophy Stall Doubles Tennis

Nov 25, 2015 Sports

The new partnership of Guyana’s most decorated tennis doubles player Jason Andrews with top junior Daniel Lopes proved its worth in a marathon 3hr 20minute quarterfinal match on Sunday to defeat Andre Erskine and Ronald Murray in three sets 6-7 (6/8),7-6 (7/5), 7-5 and book a place in the Men’s Open Doubles Semis. The win puts Andrews on course to earn himself an 11th doubles title within the last 7 years.
The match started off with Erskine/Murray securing an early break of serve to move ahead 4-1 in the first set as they seemed comfortable with Erskine being the solid baseliner and Murray at the net. But it was determination and masterful net play that helped Lopes/Andrews to shake things up a bit and win four straight games taking the score from 5-2 to 5-6. Erskine/Murray fought to stay in the set leveling at 6-6. Both teams held service and played neck and neck in the tiebreaker through heated exchanges to bring the score to 6/6, but it was the more experienced Murray/Erskine team that held their nerves and captured the next two points and the first set 7-6 (8/6).
This high level of play was maintained throughout the second set, as both teams held serve comfortably to 6-6 to set up for another tie breaker. It would be the youthful team that would forge ahead 4/2, but Erskine/ Murray again produced some quality points to level 5/5 before surrendering the next two points and the set 7-6 (7/5).
A popped string for Erskine during the third set caused some imbalance in his team as he lost serve at 3/3 to give Andrews/Lopes a 4-3 lead. But the tides immediately turned on Lopes serve when surprisingly, Erskine who is not known for volleys produced skillful winners at the net to reach break point at which point Murray secured the break with his signature inside out forehand to level the score at 4-4. Murray then held serve to 5-4. But the high level of team support between the Andrews/Lopes pair gave Andrews the willpower to hold his service game to level again at 5-5.
This once again weakened resolve in the Erskine/Murray camp and Lopes/Andrews made no hesitation in powering returns to secure yet another break on Erskine’s serve. Serving for the match, it took Lopes/Andrews five deuces, three match points, and two break points to eventually triumph three and a half hours later. In the end, it was a commendable partnership that outplayed the experienced players 6-7 (6/8), 7-6 (7/5), 7-5. Lopes was jubilant as he crashed to the ground in exhaustion. But the team will have to quickly refocus as their next opponents in the semis are Nicholas Fenty and Leyland Leacock who will be a formidable force.
Likewise in the Ladies Open Doubles round robin group A, the junior girls Kalyca Fraser/Shivani Persaud battled for at least two and a half hours to down the pair of junior powerhouse Afruica Gentle and the promising 12yr old Sarah Klautky 6-3, 6-3. But the pair subsequently lost to Nicola Ramdyhan/ Aretta Dey 6-3, 6-0. In group B Shelly Daly/Fiona Brushell defeated Nathalie Ramdyhan/Ciara Pooran 6-0, 6-1.
In other Men’s Doubles Quarterfinal action, Men’s champion Anthony Downes and veteran Harry Panday defeated the young pair Keenan Persaud/Jordan Beaton 6-0, 6-0. A walkover was granted to Nicholas Fenty/Leyland Leacock by Sandeep Chand/Sanjeev Datadin. Anthony Downes/Harry Panday also received a walkover from Oswin Coggins/Stephen Bailey to book their place in the finals.
In the Mixed Doubles quarterfinals, Mark McDonald/Afruica Gentle defeated Jordan Beaton/Kalyca Fraser 6-2, 6-4. Aretta Dey/Daniel Lopes defeated Ramario Chanderballi/Grace McCalman 6-0, 6-1. Keenan Persaud/Sarah Klautky defeated Fiona Brushell/Martin Campbell 6-4,6-4. Nicola Ramdyhan/Nicholas Glasgow defeated Mark McDonald/Afruica Gentle 6-2, 6-2.
Exciting semis and finals competition are expected as all four categories draw to a close during the remainder of this week.
Meanwhile, the association will be staging a fund raising event on Sunday December 6 at the Racquet Centre, which also serves as a promotional tennis activity with a day of free coaching with racquets and balls provided and information on tennis in Guyana to attract more adults to play. Action starts at 12:00pm and BBQ will be on sale from that time also. The Euphoria Fun Park for the kids will also provide entertainment from 3:00pm. Tickets cost $1,500 with $500 redeemable in chits. Those tickets can be bought from Money Gram Offices in Middle Street next to Mario’s and at the City Mall.