GBTI Day 1 kicks off with youngster Denobrega topping Rose in a 3-hour marathon

Jul 05, 2022 Sports

The 13th edition of the GBTI Open Tennis Tournament featured a number of dramatic three-set matches, However, the highlight was 12-year-old Nathan DeNobrega edging seasoned player David Rose in a 6/0 – 5/7 – 6/4 battle. DeNobrega, appearing in his first main draw men’s open singles, led Rose 6/0 – 5/2, before Rose mounted a spirited response and saved several match points in his comeback to snatch the second set at 7/5. DeNobrega took a medical timeout for an ongoing back injury, and showed incredible athleticism and determination to secure the final set at 6/4 in arguably the most entertaining match of the day.

Nathan DeNobrega (right) and David Rose take a photo.

The crowd broke out into an uproar as they chanted the junior’s name, “Nathan! Nathan! Nathan!”. Rose was a semi-finalist last year in the men’s open doubles. DeNobrega now faces his biggest match against the 2019 Men’s Champion, Gavin Lewis.

In the second round of 32 men’s singles match, veteran athlete Ronald Murray, defeated Kevin Mattai 6/7 – 6/2 – 3/1 ret. The first set saw both players trading winners from both ends before Mattai secured an early mini break in the first set tiebreaker.

The featured style of heavy top spins and clinical hitting entertained the audience. However, a few unforced errors from the racket of Murray gifted Mattai the first set. The experienced lefty held his nerves and went up an early break in the second set as Mattai grew tired and the errors racked up.

Murray balanced between some immaculate shot making and consistent rallies that proved too much for Mattai. Mattai eventually retired due to a severe cramp of the right leg after trailing 7/6 – 2/6 – 1/3. Murray now advances to the round of 16 to face the number two seed, Donnie Anderson.

Other notable results:
Men’s Singles:
Junior Boys’ Champion Gerald Scotland d. Oswin Coggins 6/3 – 6/3.
Khawn Rodney d. Jamal Goodluck 6/4 – 6/1.
Johnathan Fagundes d. Navinda Arjune 6/4 – 6/3.
Boys Open Singles:
Navinda Arjune d. Vibert Mingo 6/0 – 6/3.
Joel Singh d. Kedel Prince 6/4 – 6/2.
Nathan DeNobrega d. Burnham Lucas 6/0 – 6/1.
Denzel Luthers d. Christian Younge 6/3 – 6/2.
Ethan Rodrigues received a w/o from Ricky Romanscindo.
Girls Open Singles:
Norella Jordan d. Kyesha Harding 6/0 – 6/0.
Saskia Persaud d. Devanie Arjoon 6/2 – 6/0.
Novice Men’s Singles:
Harvey Stoll d. Kenny Bisnauth 6/0.
Ridhldan Kasim d. Kerosene Wade 6/1.
Vinish Etwaroo received a w/o from Brandford Fordice.
Novice Women’s Singles:
O’Kesha St. Kitts d. Kezia Luke 6-1.
Breanna Simpson received a w/o from Justine Kennedy.

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