Road tennis tournament reaches round of 16

By Morissa Lindsay

Young talent Jesse Haynes was among the casualties who failed to advance as he was knocked out of the Barbados Road Tennis Open in two straight sets when the round of 32 continued last night at the Deighton ‘Pa Roach’ Roach Road Tennis Facility at Bush Hall Yard Gap, St Michael.

A total of eight players advanced into the round of 16 and the popular Haynes was not one of them as he lost 21-12 and 21-13 to Alexander Clarke in the second match of the night.

Marson Johnson got the best of his namesake 21-16 and 21-8 as he defeated Wayne Johnson when those two faced off. However, it was not as straight forward for the flashy Dario Hinds who was made to come from behind 20-22, 21-15 and 21-16 in a keenly contested exchange against Bruce Pounder.

Shakeem Nurse also advanced and did not break a sweat as he won by default after Peter Moore, a coach of the National Sports Council who has had a good run in the competition, failed to show up.

The women were also locked in battle, starting with teenager Kezia Blunt who defeated Krystal Harewood 21-18, 19-21 and 21-16 in the decisive third set. Margo Lord was also brilliant in her 21-9 and 21-13 win over Giselle Fields.

Former champion and sister to Peter Haynes, Abigail Haynes, won 21-11 and 21-10 when she came up against Sandra Bailey. Meanwhile, Maudlyn Blunt won by default after Cheryl Brathwaite failed to show up for their match. morissalindsay@barbadostoday.bb