AFTER intense battle among the top tennis players in the GBTI Independence Jubilee Open tennis tournament, Anthony Downes claimed his sixth consecutive Men’s Open Singles title while Afruica Gentle became the youngest Ladies’ Open Singles champion in the two-week tournament.Downes trounced Daniel Lopes 6-1, 6-2 while Gentle whipped Nicola Ramdyhan 6-4, 6-1.
Meanwhile, in the other results; Kalyca Fraser won the Girls’ Open Singles title from Shivani Persaud; Heimraj Resaul captured the Boys’ Open Singles title from Keenan Persaud.
In the Men’s Open Doubles, Anthony Downes and Harry Panday defeated Nicolas Fenty and Leyland Leacock while in the Ladies’ Open Doubles, Cristy Campbell and Afruica Gentle bettered Aretta Dey and Nicola Ramdyhan.
The Mixed Open Doubles event was won by Anthony Downes and Afruica Gentle after they beat Aretta Dey and Daniel Lopes; Leyland Leacock got past Godfrey Lowden in the Men’s 35 and Over while Godfrey Lowden got the better of Harry Panday Men’s 45 and Over event.
In the Novices Singles event Asif Subhan defeated Devon Gonsalves while in the Novices Medley Doubles event Patricia Hope and Martin Campbell upstaged Asif Subhan and Devon Gonsavles.
At the closing ceremony Marketing Manager of the GBTI, Pamela Binda, expressed the Bank’s appreciation for a successful tournament. She praised the tournament team for all the hard work, and reflected that the increase in the number of participants indicated that the sport is growing.
Binda further indicated that the financial institution is willing to provide continuous support to the Guyana Tennis Association (GLTA)
GBTI’s Chief Executive Officer and former GLTA Executive Member, John Tracey, in his remarks explained that the GLTA needed strong support in order to take tennis forward.
President of the GLTA, Jamal Goodluck, pointed out that the GLTA will be pursuing closer relationship with the bank to forge a stronger partnership.
Goodluck noted that the lack of facilities and the need for tennis to establish its headquarters are high on the GLTA’s agenda.
GLTA tournament committee chairman, Robert Bostwick, praised the level of performance of the players, particularly the juniors, who are consistently raising their level of play.