All the big names, with the exception of Robert Fernandes made it to the semis of the national senior squash championships as quarter final action came to an end on Wednesday evening at the Georgetown Club courts.
Former champion Robert Fernandes seemed in top form against Alexander Arjoon.
Playing a fast-paced game which went the full distance of five games, the two battled it out with Arjoon winning the first game 11/6 and Fernandes returning to take the second game 11/6.
The threat of Fernandes going up 2-1 helped Arjoon tighten up and he played two exceptional rallies to get to 9-10 before a desperate drop shot from the back of the court by a struggling Fernandes ended his comeback bid.
It seemed all over for Arjoon in the fourth game when Fernandes got to within two points of ending the match as he led 9-7 lead.
But Arjoon once again played quality squash to reel off the next four points and tie the match at 2-2.
Fernandes found his second wind in the fifth and decisive set and raced out to a 4-0 lead before Arjoon slowly but surely clawed his way back into the game.
After numerous lengthy rallies the game was tied at 8-8, and that was where Arjoon decided that enough was enough and with clinical efficiency ended the resistance.
He will face the tournament’s number one seed and overwhelming favorite Kristian Jeffrey while the other semifinal will feature training partners Nicolette Fernandes and Regan Pollard who dismissed their quarterfinal opponents with relative ease.
The ladies’ Open semi-finals will feature the top four seeds with Fernandes down to oppose Kayla Jeffrey while Ashley Khalil and Keisha Jeffrey will battle in what is expected to be the most exciting match of the evening.
The semi-finals of the main draws will be contested this evening with the finals on tomorrow evening.
Results:
Ladies’ Open Quarterfinals
Nicolette Fernandes defeated Victoria Arjoon 11/3 11/4 11/3
Kayla Jeffrey defeated Chantelle Fernandes 11/5 11/4 11/6
Ashley Khalil defeated Mary Fung-A-Fat 11/8 8/11 11/9 15/13
Keisha Jeffrey defeated Daina King 11/1 11/3 11/3
Men’s Open Quarterfinals
Kristian Jeffrey defeated Deje Dias 11/3 11/5 11/4
Alexander Arjoon defeated Robert Fernandes 11/6 6/11 9/11 11/9 11/8
Nicolette Fernandes defeated Jerozeno Bell 11/2 11/8 11/6
Regan Pollard defeated Raphael deGroot 11/9 11/8 11/7
Men’s Consolation First Round
Jason Ray Khalil received a walkover from Andy Goveia
Damian Fernandes defeated Steven Xavier 11/1 11/7 11/9
Javier Grau defeated Alex Gouveia 11/7 11/9 4/11 11/7
Nyron Joseph received a walkover from Nicholas Narain.