Jeffrey tames Fernandes in Men's semis

Jeffrey tames Fernandes in Men’s semis

Jun 29, 2008 Sports

– sets up final with Robert Fernandes

Kristian Jeffrey emphatically put an end to Nicolette Fernandes’ run in the men’s draw on Friday evening as the GT&T sponsored National Senior Squash Championships continued, at the Georgetown Club.
In the most anticipated match of the tournament, which attracted a sizable crowd, Jeffrey put on a master class of retrieving ability to frustrate Guyana’s top ladies’ player.
Each of the first two rallies were above 50 shots and this allowed Jeffrey to get rid of any early nerves and set the tone for the rest of the match.
From that point on the pattern was Fernandes dominating the T and Jeffrey running down shot after shot, forcing Fernandes to work hard and take more risks.
As Jeffrey grew in confidence he began using the “working boast” to move Fernandes to the front court continuously. This strategy proved so effective that by the start of the second game Fernandes was left standing at the T several times.
In the end, Jeffrey proved his class by not letting his opponent or the magnitude of the occasion get to him and he only gave up four points in the entire match.
He is heavily favoured to claim his first senior national title when he faces Nicolette’s brother Robert in the men’s final.
The older Fernandes was fortunate to advance when his opponent Regan Pollard retired due to a thigh injury with their semi-final tied at two games all.
The ladies’ final will feature Caribbean Under-15 champion Ashley Khalil against Nicolette Fernandes.
Fernandes made it through to the final of the Ladies category with a 9/2, 9/1, 9/0 win over defending champion Keisha Jeffrey, who last year became the youngest to win the Open title. She will now face Caribbean Under-15 champion Ashley Khalil, who disposed of Tiffany Solomon in four sets 9/3, 9/4, 8/10, 9/1.
Full results are as follows:
Men’s Open Semi-finals
Kristian Jeffrey defeated Nicolette Fernandes 9/2 9/1 9/1
Robert Fernandes defeated Regan Pollard 4/9 9/2 9/10 9/0 3/2 retired
Men’s Open 5-8 Play-offs
Oliver Downes defeated Jerazeno Bell 9/2 5/9 4/9 9/2 9/7
Alexander Arjoon defeated Raphael DeGroot 6/9 9/3 9/5 6/9 9/7
Men’s Plate Quarterfinals
Peter DeGroot defeated Allan Downes 9/2 9/1 9/1
Damian Fernandes defeated Juan Carlos Lazo 9/8 9/4 4/9 9/1
Deje Dias defeated Joe Mekdeci 9/2 10/8 9/5
Jason Ray Khalil defeated Luca Palazzotto 9/1 9/1 9/0
Ladies’ Open Semi-finals
Nicolette Fernandes defeated Keisha Jeffrey 9/2 9/1 9/0
Ashley Khalil defeated Tiffany Solomon 9/3 9/4 8/10 9/1
Ladies’ Consolation Semi-finals
Kayla Jeffrey defeated Victoria Arjoon 9/1 9/1 9/1
Mary Fung-A-Fat defeated Daina King 2/9 4/9 9/7 9/4 9/5