TIGER In-Flow Tennis Academy organizers of the 5th edition of the Voyager Tennis Open in collaboration with Go! Insect Repellent, will be keeping their fingers cross that the rain stays away for the remainder of the championship currently ongoing at the Kenneth ‘Wriggler’ King Multipurpose Court at the George V Park, the Gardens.
In matches played on Sunday 6th January 2019, on Court -1, Girls 14s, Latoya Murray defeated Iyana Paul in straight sets 4-0, 5-3; In the women’s open, Scyla Murray won a hard fought game on Court 1 against Violine Dovert of France 6-2, 7-5.
In men’s action, on Court 2 Ryan Nathaniel came from one set down (3-6) to defeat Andre Fontenelle 7-6, 6-0; Danny Augustin made light work of Gregory Cooper on Court 1 to win in straight sets 6-0,6-0; On Court 2, Shamar Marcus had the better of Frenchman Stephane Dovert 6-2,6-1.
The match of the afternoon was the showdown on Court 1 in the men’s category where Frenchman Louis Dovert was forced to retire, this was not due to any injury but he had to forfeit his match against Jean Phillipe-Murray in order to catch a 6.00 p.m. flight to Martinique/France; at the time Louis was leading 3-2 in the third set. He won the 1st set convincingly 6-0, but Phillipe – Murray came back strong to win the second 6-4.
Following the match between Jean Phillipe- Murray and Louis Dovert, the two players spoke to the VOICE.
Dovert said, “Jean Phillip Murray played a good match, a tough one on court, it was a bit hot. It’s my second time playing in Saint Lucia, the last time was 2014. I hope to come back and play and bring my racquet next time.”
“He is a very good player, he knows his boundries, and he gave me a really tough fight, lost the first set 6-0. I came back to win the second set 6-4; was down 2-3 and on serve, but felt confident I had the match in the bag.”
In terms of the level/ quality of play in the Voyager Open this year, Phillipe – Murray said, “The quality of play is much higher compared to a regular Saint Lucia tournament because you find a different cadre of players, older men who not necessary will travel to the North of the island (National Tennis Centre) to play tournaments, they are in town and it’s convenient for them, you will definitely get a bigger draw and much more quality players.”
Following the tournament, Phillipe – Murray will be heading back to Junior College in Texas. This is his first year and he will be heading straight into the Tennis season which starts in a few days’ time.
On Court 1, Clent Mitchell wasted no time as he breezed past Corey Charles in straight sets 6-1, 6-0; Omodelle Phillips had a good afternoon workout as he powered his way to a 6-2, 6-0 win over Andre St. Rose; while Maxx Williams continued his good run on form from where he left off in 2018 to enjoy a 6-4, 6-0 win against Anthony Habib on Court 1.
On Saturday 5th, play was suspended for the day at around 3.05 p.m. due to rain, but not before there were wins for Petterson George over Corey Charles in boys 14s – 4-0, 4-0; in girls 12s Amara Jn Marie went down to Latoya Murray 4-1, 4-0.
On Monday morning, Jean Phillipe Murray defeated Shamar Marcus in straight sets 6-1, 6-0.
In matches played last evening (Monday 7th), in boys 18s, Maxx Williams came up against Arden Rosemond; girls 18s, Jace Leon took on Iyana Paul; Netanya Faissal played NavitIssac; in the Veterans category, Manish Mahtani went up against George Auguste, Darwin Guard played Andre St. Rose, Randolph Rosemond took on Gregory Cooper; in men’s action, Brent St. Catherine played Zy Richards Akeem Gustave came up against Ajaunie Scott.
