A marathon match between old rivals Sandeep Chand and Jason Andrews was the highlight of the Guyana Tennis Association (GTA) Assuria-sponsored tournament which got underway over the weekend at the National racquet centre courts.
The match ended after Andrews retired having won the first set 6-3 and losing the second 6-7 in a tiebreak.
The first set saw the scores knotted 2-2 before Andrews broke twice to take a 5-2 lead before eventually winning the first set 6-3.
In the second set Andrews raced to a 4-1 lead and even led 5-2 at which point Chand took a medical time out for apparent leg cramps.
Serving for the match, Andrews lost two match points after questionable calls and Chand then mounted a comeback to force a tiebreak.
In fading light and in the absence of court lights the two players battled with Andrews taking a 4-1 lead in the tiebreak only to inexplicably lose the next six points and the set to Chand at 6-7.
Andrews subsequently retired from the match expressing his displeasure with the officiating.
“I think Jason played better today. I was just fortunate to hold on in the second set and win some critical points. It was a challenge for both of us playing on that surface,” Chand said in his post match interview.
The 3-6, 7-6(7-4) win by Chand means he will play the winner of Harry Panday/Keenan Persaud in his next match.
In the men’s Open competition, Hemant Dalip defeated Malik Williams, 6-1 6-0 while the seasoned Benjettan Osborne won 6-0, 6-1 against Jeevan Dalip in his first competition.
On Sunday, Oswin Coggins defeated Judah Stephney 6-0, 6-2 while veteran Rudy Grant weathered the sun for over two-and-a-half hours to outplay Joseph DeJonge who retired with the score 2-6, 7-5.
Andre Erskine launched his campaign for singles title by defeating Orande Dainty 6-3, 6-0 while William Spangler split sets at 4-6, 7-6(7-3) with the tenacious Benjattan Osborne. That match was eventually delayed due to rain and will continue during the week. In the ladies Open singles coach Shelly Daly-Ramdyhan won 6-0, 6-4 against Fiona Bushell while former Novices champion Stephen Bailey had a break out 6-0 6-1 win against Ramario Chanderballi. In the Novices Medley singles Philbert Clark defeated six-foot-six newcomer Martin Campbell.
Earlier at the opening ceremony, president of the Guyana Tennis Association (GTA) Grace McCalman apologizing for Assuria management’s unavoidable absence at the opening ceremony.
According to a press release, Mc Calman “expressed her appreciation for the company’s third consecutive year of sponsorship and their vision for the growth of the tournament into one of international standard in the near future.”
Mc Calman, the release noted, also “reflected on the efforts of the GTA to reestablish regular competitions among the Guianas which are more feasible alternatives for Guyanese players to have overseas exposure.”
Acting Tournament Coordinator William Spangler said that the tournament attracted over 50 entrants and that all matches except those of the men’s Over 35 and men’s Over 45 categories would be played at the National Racquet Centre. Other matches will be played at nights at the Le Ressouvenir Tennis Club.
Spangler, the release added, charged the players to play respectfully with pride and best effort to win.
Veteran player Grant offered his appreciation for the tournament and stressed the importance of international investment in local tennis to help raise the profile of the sport.
He also appealed to the authorities to provide facilities of a high standard for sustainability of such a venture and to support the tourism industry.
The tournament which is expected to last two weeks has attracted Guyana’s top players as well as fresh faces on the tournament circuit.
The number two U18 seed Aretta Dey served the first ball to start the tournament while the first match up was the Novices Medley Singles where Daniel Razick, who won the Novices Trophy Stall 2014 doubles, easily defeated Akeem Bailey 6-1.
Fiona Bushell also had a 6-1 win over fellow club member Patricia Hope.
The competition continues today at the Le Ressouvenir Club from 6:00pm. In the men’s Over 45 category, Carlos Adams will play Rudy Grant followed by Harry Panday against Bo Arbogast.
On Thursday from 6:00pm Sanjeev Datadin will play Harry Panday while Razick will oppose Grant.
