Mark Venom Griffith and Emar Edwards have a score to settle.
In one of the most eagerly anticipated matches of the 2023 Barbados Road Tennis Open (BRTO), the two will clash in the quarterfinals at the Wildey Gymnasium on Saturday, in what promises to be a mouthwatering encounter.
For Griffith, the island’s number one player and defending champion, it will be his first major test in this year’s competition, having breezed through the opening three rounds without hardly breaking a sweat.
He dismissed veteran Curtis Jones and youngsters Suave Clarke and Dre Rocket Man Smith without breaking a sweat and is the favourite to repeat as champion and take home the $20 000 top prize.
However, he will be wary of Edwards, who defeated him in the 2017 Silver Hill Road Tennis Championships.
Griffith had his revenge in 2018 though, when he demolished Edwards in straight sets in the Haynesville Tennis Tournament, inclusive of a ‘sow’.
Edwards is making a comeback to competitive road tennis having embarked on a four-year sabbatical.
Despite the layoff, he has played impressively, with his straight sets victories over the highly-rated Dwayne Lynch and Shammon Weekes proof of that.
Both Griffith and Edwards are extremely fit and are known for their defensive style of play and fans can expect lengthy rallies in the nightcap game.
The other men’s game on Saturday will see the attacking Davien Force Ripe Taylor take on Antonio Yearwood.
Taylor will be the favourite heading into this matchup having disposed of ‘A’ class players Aaron Barker and Julian Michael Jackson White on his way to the last eight.
Meanwhile, Yearwood is a surprise quarterfinalist and will have his work cut out for him against Taylor, one of the best attackers in the game.
He cannot be discounted, however, as he boasts of one of the best backhands in the business and is known for his consistency.
In the women’s competition, school teacher Gale-Ann Edwards will face Marvalene Neblett in a contest that can go either way.
Edwards will be on a high after defeating third seed Rachel Smith in the Round of 16, and if she can reproduce that form she will be tough to beat.
Sheldene Walrond, last year’s losing finalist, should easily qualify for the semifinals as she is the overwhelming favourite to overcome 13-year-old Kezia Blunt.
While Blunt has played beyond her young age and should be applauded for reaching the quarterfinals, she will have her hands full against Walrond, one of the best female road tennis players.
The attacking-minded Walrond will have her sights set on making amends for last year, where she narrowly lost out to Kim Holder for the top prize.
Sunday will also serve up some entertaining matches with Antonio Lil Man Daniel coming up against Darius Barracus Gaskin in what promises to be a shot-filled match.
The number two seed, Shakeem Nurse, will also face a stern test when he plays young upstart Mosai Williams in what will be an interesting matchup.
Defending women’s champion Kim Holder will favour her chances of advancing to the last four when she takes on Jalesa Holder-Vaughn, while the ever improving Maudlyn Blunt is expected to turn back the challenge of Angela Burrowes and book her semifinal spot. randybennett@barbadostoday.bb
