Marshall bounces back to win opener

Defending men’s champion Kaipo Marshall recovered from a stumble in the first set to win his opening match of the Barbados Tennis Association Top 8 tournament which served off on Sunday at the National Tennis Centre in Wildey.

Resuming Monday morning after rain interrupted play yesterday during the first round encounter, Marshall emerged victorious after coming from a set down to beat Stephen Slocombe Jr 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.

Speaking with Barbados TODAY during the post-match interview, Marshall said: “[I am] definitely coming in a bit stranger than last year, seeing that I did not play as many tournaments as I did last year. But [I am] still feeling pretty good.

“I have been training hard so I think that I have a good shot at defending my title. Haydn Lewis (Barbados number two) is in the tournament. So it is definitely going to be a bit harder.”

He added: “I will wait to see how he does in his group and how the semi-final sets up. I am just focusing on myself at the moment. I am not studying the opponents. Once I get my game in order, I will have a good shot at taking the title.”

Marshall said he did not know what to expect coming in but said he was happy with the outing, especially in the pivotal second set.

“I just came in hoping that I put up a good performance,” he explained.

“I am glad that in the second set, I was able to turn it around, get a little energy going, find myself a little bit and just be happy for the win.”

In the opening set, Slocombe went up a break 5-3 and went on to take the first stanza. A similar situation unfolded in the second set, the only difference was this time it went in favour of Marshall as he leveled at 1-1.

In the decisive third set, Marshall powered his way to a 4-1 lead before rain interrupted proceedings. On resumption Monday, Slocombe held serve at 2-4 down but Marshall maintained the advantage by breaking Slocombe, before going on to take the match.

Barbados Davis Cup player, Xavier Lawrence, put on an exhibition of fantastic stroke play in the other men’s match, as he swept Kyle Griffith in straight sets, 6-2, 6-0.

Since graduating from Prairie View A&M University with a major in Business Management, Lawrence has been putting in lots of work at the Florida based Inspirational Tennis Academy.

Runner-up last year in the BTA Top 8 tournament, Lawrence said he was enjoying his game even amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“I have been in Florida training for the past two months. Think I am in pretty good tennis shape. So, I really can’t complain besides the fact that I had to quarantine myself,” said Lawrence.

“I did not get to go on the court as much as I would have liked leading up to the tournament. I used this first match as a warm-up.

Hoping to go all the way this year, Lawrence added: “My confidence is pretty high. I trust that I have put in the sufficient work to compete well for the title this year.”

In the other matches played, defending women’s champion Gabrielle Leslie defeated Asha King 6-0, 6-3 in their opener while Hannah Chambers won 7-5, 6-3 over Serena Bryan in the other exchange.

On Sunday the experienced Russell Moseley schooled national Under-16 champion Adam King 6-1, 6-0 in their opening match.