By Morissa Lindsay
Reigning national number one men’s player Mark ‘Venom’ Griffith began his quest to win the first prize of BDS$20, 000 in the Barbados Road Tennis Open competition which began yesterday at four venues across the country.
Representing the constituency of St. Michael West Central, Griffith got his campaign off to a victorious start, demolishing the outmatched Dereck Burke 21-6, 21-5 in the two best of three sets played at Gall Hill in St John.
The Barbados Road Tennis Open has attracted 130 participants and both the top performers in the men’s and women’s, will take home the same amount of prize money. Second place will pocket BDS$15, 000, third position BDS$10, 000 and fourth BDS$5, 000.
Among those who also stood out in the preliminary round yesterday in Gall Hill were Lloyd Burke with a commendable 21-10 and 21-15 win against Terry Nurse. Jamar Best lived up to his name with a top-class showing of 21-8 and 21-18 when he faced Terry Smith. Kerry Harewood won 21-16 and 21-12 over Brommell Griffith.
Put on by the Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment in conjunction with the National Sports Council, the Barbados Road Tennis Open will see all competitors once successful during the preliminary stage advance into the knockout round of 64 and continue until the finalists are decided.
There were other keenly contested matches played at the Deighton ‘Pa’ Roach facility in Bush Hall, Diamond Corner in St. Peter and Silver Hill, Christ Church.
At the Deighton ‘Pa’ Roach facility, the man after whom the venue is named rolled back the years as one of the legends of the game with a hard-fought 21-19, 13-21 and 21-19 win over Sherwin Bourne. Even at 73 years old Roach still has it in him as a father and teacher of the sport in what was a fitting showing from the icon on yesterday’s Father’s Day.
There is no guarantee who will take home the grand cheque given that the competition is still yet in its early days but with Roach and other veterans signing up to play this should bring some added entertainment to the tournament.
Anthony Harris got a confident start 21-10 and 21-16 when he defeated Chad Grace. Christian Leslie toiled hard to emerge a 21-18 and 21-17 winner against Richard Yarde.
Alexander Clarke registered a 21-10 and 21-11 win taking on Deetroy Layne – all played at the Deighton ‘Pa’ Roach facility.
Further afield in Diamond Corner, Leon Carter took care of business 21-10 and 21-6 over Junior Walrond. Similarly, Dwayne Lynch slammed Chad Blackman 21-10 and 21-11. Azarie Clarke managed to edge Stanmore Knight 22-20 and 21-17 in a thriller.
Two of the five matches played in Diamond Corner went down to the wire as Keith Greaves edged Ricardo Harewood 21-14, 13-21 and 21-13 while Rohan Brathwaite lost the opening set 11-21 but came back to win the next two 21-16 and 21-17 against Stephen Payne.
Meanwhile, in Silver Hill, Dario Hinds lived up to expectations winning 21-12 and 21-12 over Maga Brathwaite. Lloyd Deane accomplished a 21-19 and 21-19 victory against Russell Johnson while Winslow Birkett with scores of 21-15 and 21-16 comfortably dismissed Anthony Simmons.
Wayne Grazette trounced Winston Griffith 21-12 and 21-12 in what was a one-sided affair. Corey Mayers made sure he was in the winning circle with a 22-20, 19-21 and 21-19 triumph against Deryck Clarke.
Matches will continue tomorrow at St. Martins Mangrove in St. Phillip, Lammings in St. Joseph, James Bryan Complex in Market Hill and Ellerton in St. George.
morissalindsay@barbadostoday.bb
