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Downes, Humphrey clinch GBTI Open Singles titles
The Men’s Open finals clash between Anthony Downes and Jeremy Miller lived up to the hype as both players pushed each other to the limit in their rematch at the GBTI Courts in Bel Air Park before a packed crowd on Sunday.
The match, which had an electronic scoring system for the first time, saw Downes clocking 21 winners to Miller’s 12 as the two went head to head in their two hour battle over two sets.
Miller, who had been on the losing end of the last three major tournaments, started off well and broke Downes to secure a 5-4 lead and a chance to serve for the set. Downes, however, saved his best tennis for the final and pounded groundstrokes especially off the forehand to even up the set at 5-5.
The various category winners display their silverware while Tennis and sponsors, GBTI, officials shared the moment
There was no turning back for Downes from that point as he took the set 7-5 and took the momentum into the second where he established a 4-0 lead over Miller who fought valiantly to stay alive. Downes started off the first game with an ace followed by a forehand winner and held easily. Miller’s service game on the other hand lasted for 15 minutes as he saved break point after break point, as Downes put him under pressure.
A number of unforced errors also contributed to Miller’s woes when he could have closed off the game. Downes hit some big forehands, which had Miller on the run and despite staying close in the games quickly went down 4-0 before he was able to secure one break on Downes’ serve. Miller put immense pressure on himself as he missed on his first serve as well as tossing in 12 double-faults during the course of the match.
Miller, however dug deep to stage a mini recovery as he hit some inside out forehands deep to Downes backhand and ran down numerous shots by Downes including one memorable point where he returned an overhead smash and then followed it up with a sliced winner.
Downes smartly served and volleyed at 5-3 and the different approach worked in his favour as he closed off the match 7-5 6-3 to capture his second consecutive GBTI Men’s title. The match was of an exceptionally high standard.
Earlier, Berbician Carol Humphrey despite being injured and having to retire a night earlier in the Mixed Doubles final, showed grit and determination in capturing the Ladies Open title from top seed, Shawna Gentle, who was also battling with her own ailments. The veteran, Humphrey played well and took out a sub-par Gentle 6-1 in the first set and was on course for an equally dominant second set with the score 3-1 when Gentle retired.
Other titles decided over the weekend included wins for Steve David Longe, who won the Men’s Over-35 Singles title when he mounted an amazing comeback against Mario Niamatalli in their super tie-break decider. With one set apiece, Niamatalli raced ahead to an 8-3 lead before Longe won 6 straight points under immense pressure as he held his nerve and capitalised to complete the win 11-9 and capture the title for the first time.
The Mixed Doubles title went to Downes /Rebecca Mitchell, who had to battle from a set down to defeat Godfrey Lowden/ Humphrey after the later retired in the third set with the match tied a set apiece and Downes/Mitchell leading.
The respective finals were followed by the Presentation Ceremony, which included the CEO of GBTI John Tracey, President of the Guyana Lawn Tennis Association, Ramesh Seebarran among other officials.
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