Erskine upsets #2 seed Osbourne for first Men’s Semifinal

Aug 01, 2021 Sports

Campbell is GBTI ladies champion…

Kaieteur News – Top- seeded Cristy Campbell captured the 2021 GBTI Ladies Title with a dominant 6/0 – 6/1 win over the power hitting Renola Jordan.
Campbell outmatched her opponent with variety, consistency and speed to throw Jordan off of her game plan. Campbell did not drop a set en route to her championship, and will quest for the Mixed Doubles Title this weekend with partner, Gavin Lewis.

Andre Erskine

Men’s Open Singles
The quarterfinals clash between #2 seed Benjettan Osbourne and Andre Erskine proved to be the most grueling and entertaining match of the tournament thus far. They battled for two days due to lighting, but it was Erskine who held on physically and mentally to topple #2 Osbourne to advance to his first men’s Semifinal.
Erskine, coach and founder of Rebel Tennis Club, credited his students for his victory.
“This match was the most mentally exhausting match I’ve played. This is my first semifinal at GBTI, so I’m super excited to reach this stage. My students are my biggest supporters. This win is a result of their confidence in me,” Erskine said.
On day one, the fierce competitors traded breaks in the first two games, then both held as it seemed they were settling into the match. Osbourne, who was no stranger to the GBTI quarterfinals round, secured another break in the seventh game, and served out the set to take it 6-3.

Cristy Campbell

Erskine stayed determined and returned as the more aggressive and consistent of the two. Erskine raced to a 5-0 lead in the second set. Osbourne held serve in the sixth game and had two break points in the seventh game. A refocused Erskine quickly shut down Osbourne’s hopes and closed out the set 6-1.
The momentum shifted once again as Osbourne raced to a 3-1 lead in the deciding set. With the support of his students, Erskine saved his sixth breakpoint in the third set, but it was Osbourne with the slight advantage. Due to poor lighting, play was suspended with Osbourne leading 3-2 (15-15).
The players returned refreshed the next day and Erskine won three consecutive games to take a 5-3 lead. Erskine served for the match, but unfortunately, Osbourne retired on match point down. The final score was 3-6 – 6-1 – 5-3 (40-0) ret. to Erskine.
In other results, junior Shaqiel Murray closed out the final round of 16 matches with a 6-3 – 2-2 ret. win over veteran Harry Panday. However, Murray was outmatched in the quarterfinals by Philippe Jackson who secured the win at 6-3, 6-2. Jackson awaits the winner of the defending champion and #1 seed, Gavin Lewis against Donnie Anderson.
Men’s Doubles
The fresh dynamic duo of Heimraj Resaul/Philippe Jackson made light work of juniors, Gerald Scotland/Donnie Anderson in the quarterfinals to secure the win 6-0 – 6-2 and advance to their first semifinal as a pair.

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