Eight-year-old Alexander Cheeks created the first upset when action in this year’s Woodpecker Products-sponsored Guyana Squash Association (GSA) junior championships got underway at the Georgetown Club Courts Tuesday night.
Competing on court number three, Cheeks displayed a never-say-die attitude after losing the first set 9-11 to number two ranked Patrick Fraser to take the other three sets 11-7, 11-9, 11-9.
Nyron Joseph recorded a triple victory in the Boys Under-11 and 13 Combined and Under-15 categories respectively.
The pint-sized Cheeks led Fraser 4-2 in the first set before the 2008 champion upped the tempo, restored order and raced to a 6-4 lead, eventually closing out the first set 11-9.
Cheeks fought valiantly, trading rallies with the bigger built and older Fraser as the game went back and forth before the eventual victor took the second set.
The third set was no different than the second, but Fraser began shakily (which allowed Cheeks to surge ahead 8-5) before he was able to pull things back.
But with Cheeks staying one point ahead the end result was in his favour.
A calmer looking Cheeks started the final set while his opponent lost his temper. Cheeks showing maturity beyond his age rallied to take the game and in the process created the first upset, leaving an emotional Fraser on the court.
Joseph dominated both Ben Mekdeci and Immanuel Barker in the Boys Under-11 and 13 Combined Division, coming away with 11-3, 11-1, 11-1 and 11-1, 11-0, 11-1 victories over both opponents respectively.
Also in winners’ row on the first night were Keisha and Kayla Jeffrey, Jason Ray Khalil, Steven Xavier and Oliver Downes.
The full results from Tuesday’s opening night are as follows:
Girls Under-11
Taylor Fernandes defeated Savannah Mendes 11-2, 11-1, 11-2, Lydia Alphonso stopped Rebecca Low 11-3, 11-1, 11-1.
Girls Under-13
Akeila Wiltshire defeated Larissa Wiltshire 11-4, 11-0, 11-6 and Gabrielle Fraser defeated Riasoya Jodah 11-1, 11-0, 11-3.
Girls Under-15, 17 & 19 combined
Keisha Jeffrey defeated Kristina Cheeks 11-1, 11-1, 11-2 and Kayla Jeffrey defeated Victoria Arjoon 11-1, 11-9, 11-7.
Boys Under-11 & 13 combined
Travis Whitehead defeated Immanuel Barker 11-6, 11-4, 11-4, Nyron Joseph defeated Ben Mekdeci 11-3, 11-1, 11-1, Alec Melville defeated Matthew Phang 11-4, 11-8, 11-8, Joseph defeated Barker 11-1, 11-0, 11-1 and Alexander Cheeks upsetted Patrick Fraser 9-11, 11-7, 11-9 and 11-9.
Boys Under-15
Joseph defeated Kevin Rodrigues 11-0, 11-3, 11-0, Jason Ray Khalil defeated Ryan Da Silva 11-2, 11-1. 11-4, whilst Steven Xavier turned back the challenge of Daniel Persaud with a 11-2, 11-1, 11-3 victory.
And in the lone Boys Under-17 & 19 combined match, Oliver Downes defeated Nicholas Peters 11-0, 11-0, 11-1.
Action in the tournament continues at the same venue from 18:00 hrs this afternoon.
