NATIONAL player Ben Mekdeci made light of a handicap -13 to beat former badminton player Medhi Ramdhani in straight games in the latest round of matches in the Ansa McAl Lucozade-sponsored Handicap Tournament, hosted by the Guyana Squash Association (GSA.) in collaboration with its corporate sponsor Digicel, at the Georgetown Club on Thursday evening. Mekdeci made light work of the still-fit Ramdhani, who started with a handicap of 6, to win 15-13, 15-14.
President of the GSA, David Fernandes, and Suzie DeAbreu returned to the court in an energetic encounter which did not lack youthful exuberance or excitement, as the two veterans exchanged thoughtful blows with well-executed winners in a throwback to their competitive age.
DeAbreu took the first set 15-12, but Fernandes returned to take the following two 15-10, 15-8 to win by a 2-1 margin.
Michael Atherley took advantage of a 10-point handicap to beat Raphael DeGroot, who started with a handicap of -12, 2-1 (13-15, 15-4, 15-2).
Meanwhile, Kamir Khan beat Beau Fernandes 2-0 (15-7, 15-5), Jonathan Fernandes overwhelmed Thi Fernandes 2-0 (15-8, 15-7), Daniel Islam overcame Frankie Vieira 2-0 (15-7, 15-6), Madison Fernandes beat Shiloh Asregado 2-0 (15-12, 15-12) and Ashley DeGroot handled the challenges of Dwayne Yan for a 2-0 win (15-12, 15-13).
Maya Collins overcame Kirsten Gomes 2-0 (15-8, 15-5) while Dominic Collins beat Mohryan Baksh 2-0 (15-12, 15-12), Aliyah Persaud rode the challenges of Chad DeAbreu for a 2-0 win (15-13, 15-11), Jason Gomes beat Geovanna DoSantos 2-0 (15-11, 15-9),
Abosaide Cadogan overwhelmed Louis DaSilva 2-0 (15-10, 15-11), James Mekdeci blanked Liam Carpenter 2-0 (15-6, 15-7), Michael DeGroot overcame Jonathan Antzach 2-1 (12-15, 15-13, 15-11)