Following his shocking quarter-final defeat in the GBTI/GTA Open men’s singles Anthony Downes has picked the man who ended his seven year reign, Gavin Lewis, as the likely winner of the tournament.
He predicted a triumphant run for Lewis to the title but said Lewis should be wary of Gregorie Vincent who has played well in recent times.
Downes, who has ruled the roost locally, lost to Lewis 3-6, 6-2, 4-6 and has challenged Lewis to a rematch or whoever wins the division.
“Taking nothing away from Gavin, he played well and I am hoping when I’m back to health I could play him again in an exhibition match and if he isn’t the champion, I’ll play the champion too,” Downes said.
Downes, told this newspaper yesterday that he was not 100 per cent fit and in two minds whether to play the match.
Downes said that he had come down with influenza which ultimately led to him suffering severe cramps and muscle fatigue during the contest
“To tell you the truth, I came down with the flu since before the tournament start and I was really feeling it before the match but I was not going to give up the title by sitting out so I drank an Advil that gave me some energy to go out but the body just couldn’t take it,” he said.
He said that it was just 10 minutes before the match that he changed his mind from giving Lewis a walk over to playing and he quickly went 0 -4 down in the first set but fought to eventually finish 3-6 before winning the second set 6-2, however, by the third set his body had already reached its limit, and he fell 4-6.
The former champion indicated that the conditions, coupled with the rainy season affected him, pointing out that a number of players are also suffering a similar difficulty.
He promised to be back.
“I’m not really taking on the loss, I mean my health comes first… once I’m back to good health I’ll be on the court.”
