Fernandes creates history in local squash
NICOLETTE Fernandes once again wrote her name in the history books of local squash when she achieved an unprecedented double at this year’s Farfan and Mendes national squash championships.
The audience at the Georgetown Club Courts erupted last Saturday evening as the Queen of Guyana’s squash had the title of men’s national champion bestowed on her when she surpassed her training partner Regan Pollard in five tantalising games, immediately after she had defeated Ashley Khalil for the Ladies’ crown in straight games.
Fernandes had earned her spot in the final after disposing of national Under-19 champion Alex Arjoon by a 3-1 margin last Friday evening, while Pollard used his experience to get the better of Deje Dias in the other semi-final, coming away with a 3-0 victory.
This was Fernandes’ third successive year competing in both categories, in 2008 she fell in the semi-final to Kristian Jeffrey, while last year it was Pollard who stopped her run, also at the semi-final stage.
Last Saturday evening’s ultimate showdown began with Pollard dictating the pace to take the first game 11-7, but Fernandes’ court craft helped her bounce back to take the second 11-2.
Pollard wasn’t ready to give up his thirst for another national title as he rushed from being tied at 4 to win the third game 11-5 and when a slug fest began between the two early in the fourth, it was Fernandes who showed no signs of weakness and came out on top to win the set 11-3.
The fifth was a battle of wills with both players going all out for the victory but in the end it was Fernandes who held on to claim another first, 11-7. Fernandes had earlier received a tougher-than-expected challenge from rising junior star Ashley Khalil in the ladies’ final which she won 11-9, 11-8, 11-7.
Next up on the squash calendar will be the Junior Caribbean championships scheduled for the Cayman Islands from July 8, with the squash section of the CAC Games taking place almost immediately after in Bogota, Colombia.   
Final Results:
Ladies’ Open
Final – Nicolette Fernandes defeated Ashley Khalil 11-9, 11-8, 11-7
Third Place – Mary Fung-a-Fat defeated Victoria Arjoon 11-7, 7-11, 11-8, 11-9
Men’s Open
Final – Nicolette Fernandes defeated Regan Pollard 7-11, 11-2, 5-11, 11-3, 11-7
Third Place – Alex Arjoon defeated Deje Dias 13-11, 11-9, 16-14
Plate Final – Allan Downes defeated Dennis Dias 11-8, 11-4, 11-7
Plate Third Place – Andrew Arjoon defeated Steven Xavier 11-8,  8-11, 11-9, 11-6