Latest update January 30th, 2025 6:10 AM
Latest News
Murray Survives Brushes of Elimination
RTC Championships 2016
It proved true on Tuesday that the easiest points are the hardest ones to win in the game of tennis. Ronald
Ronald Murray
Murray learnt that lesson when 8 match points were snatched from his reach by Oswin Coggins during the final round of 16 matches.
It was easy cruising for Murray in the first set when he stamped his dominance with a 6-3 win in the first set using his potent arsenal of a serve. He continued to be in the driver’s seat of the match and took a commanding 5-3 lead to serve for the match in the second set.
However, like Benjettan Osborne his fellow Roraima tennis club player, he displayed what they are best known for, resilience. Coggins dug deep and was patient, which allowed him to slowly creep back into the match.
At this point Murray was on the back foot and his shots became plagued by doubt. The loss of seven match points left him mentally shaken and swung the pendulum of momentum to Coggins who then took the set 7-5.
The third set was closely contested between the two and at 5-5 Murray was able to secure a break of Coggins serve and set up two more match points. Coggins managed to swat off one additional match point with the swing of a down the line forehand but failed to fend off the power of Murray’s serve. He conceded the set at 5-7 to make it the second match to last three hours.
Murray had no time for rest with a back-to-back match in the quarterfinals against Andre Erskine. The match was pegged to be a close one and it did not disappoint the spectators. The first set was grasped by Erskine in a close tie break which ended 8-6.
The cheering fans of Murray rallied behind him to see a third set. A spark of confidence exuded from the steps of Murray as he took charge of the second set and won it 6-4. He fought through a tumultuous third to win it at 6-4.
When asked about his thought during the many brushes of being eliminated out of the competition, he said he got too cocky when being up in the sets and his strategy was to readjust and forget about the scoreboard.
At one point he did not realise he had won the set. Today, Murray faces Kijana Lewis in the semi-final of the top half of the draw. He never played Lewis before and it is anticipated to be another taxing match since the two players are the only ones to have played three setters.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
The third parties will not survive this year’s elections
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- The fate of third parties in this year’s general and regional elections is as predictable... more
OAS Secretary General Election and renewed OAS Consensus
Antiguan Barbudan Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- The upcoming election... more
Weekend Cartoon
