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Gabrielle Leslie playing a leaping forehand en route to her stunning three-set victory over Hannah Chambers in the Top 8 women’s singles final. (Picture by Kenmore Bynoe.) Social Share
Never prepared to say die, Gabrielle Leslie battled back against the odds to preserve her status as the queen of the Barbados Tennis Association’s Top 8 singles tournament.
A long-time rivalry in local tennis added another chapter to its memorable storybook, after Leslie shocked Barbados’ best female player Hannah Chambers and got sweet revenge in the final at the National Tennis Centre on Thursday night.
With her title slipping away, the 17-year-old played with passion and determination en route to a valiant 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 comeback victory over arch-nemesis Chambers in a two-hour-long showdown on court No.2.
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Defending champion Kaipo Marshall produced an incredible fightback to beat Xavier Lawrence and keep alive his hopes of retaining the Barbados Tennis Association Top 8 men’s single title.
Playing at the National Tennis Centre, in a rematch of last year’s final, Marshall remarkably came from a set down to advance to today’s final, winning 3-6, 7-5, 4-2 after Lawrence was forced to retire hurt due to cramp in a tense contest that lasted for three hours.
The 18-year-old Marshall looked beaten as Lawrence aggressively won the first set and led 4-3 in the second to stand on the brink of victory before three straight break points gave the match a dramatic twist.
Comeback king Marshall reaches final
Article by December 30, 2020
Not for the first time, defending champion Kaipo Marshall came from a set down in the Barbados Tennis Association Top 8 tournament to turn back Xavier Lawrence in Wednesday’s semi-final match at the National Tennis Centre in Wildey.
The 18-year-old Marshall slumped to a 3-6 defeat in the opening set but as he has done three times previously in the tournament, rebounded to win the second set 7-5.
He was leading 4-2 in the decisive last set when Lawrence, last year’s runner-up, was forced to retire with cramps.
In Thursday’s final, Marshall will now clash with the experienced Haydn Lewis who beat Stephen Slocombe Jr in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3,
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.
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Defending champion Gabrielle Leslie and emerging star Hannah Chambers set the court ablaze yesterday with their second wins of the Barbados Tennis Association’s Top 8 Invitational Tournament.
Leslie added to her victory over Leah Ollivierre on Sunday morning with a similarly impressive 6-0, 6-3 win over Asha King as the round robin phase continued at the National Tennis Centre.
Barbados’ top female player Chambers had a tough assignment against Serena Bryan before winning 7-5, 6-3.
Chambers raced to a 2-0 lead in the first set but a lapse in concentration allowed Bryan to win four straight games for a 4-2 lead. Chambers regained her poise to claim another game, but Bryan won another immediately after to hold a 5-3 advantage. (NM)