Junior Caribbean Squash Champion, Taylor Fernandes, warmed up for her much sterner Commonwealth Games debut with a smart win over Jonathan DeGroot in the opening contest of the Bounty Farm Ltd. Handicap Squash Tournament which commenced last evening at the Georgetown Club Squash courts on Camp Street.
Fernandes, who began the game at minus four, looked sharp as she navigated around the court, taking the first set 15 – 11 before DeGroot, who played with a plus eight advantage, took a consolation win in the second set, 15 – 13. Fernandes, though, used her power and executed a few lovely drop shots to take the third and final game 15 – 14, to begin on a winning note.
Javid Rahaman, (minus 2) also waltzed his way into the winner’s row after defeating Tian Edwards 15 – 13, 15 – 14, with the latter failing to capitalize on a plus two advantage.
The final match of the open division saw Brian Young (plus 8) getting the better of Andrea King (plus 11) 15 – 9, 15 – 8, to close out the evening.
Meanwhile, Junior Caribbean 2017 Squash Association silver medalist, Abosaide Cadogan also began the tournament in commanding fashion, disposing of Kaden Pynaendy in straight sets.
Cadogan (0) hardly broke a sweat and trounced Pynaendy, who began the game with a plus 13 advantage in the first Category A matchup. He, however, failed to score a point and surrendered the first set 15 – 13, and dropped the second in similar fashion to hand, Cadogan, a much more seasoned campaigner, an early victory.
The second and final match in that division saw Shiloh Asergado, (0), downing Aishani Persaud (0), also in straight sets 15 – 4, 15 – 3, to open the competition on a commanding note.
