OLYMPIAN Chelsea Edghill delivered a complete performance to capture a round of 64 win and advance to the round of 32 at this year’s Central American and Caribbean Games in Santa Domingo.
Edghill came up against Samirah Munoz of El Salvador on Tuesday, winning the first set 11-6 and the second set 11-7. Munoz stepped on the gas in the third set but could not overcome Edghill, who extended the lead to 3-0 after winning 11-9.
She went on to close out the best of seven games in the fourth set, 11-2, to win in straight sets.
Edghill told the Guyana Chronicle after her opening win that it was a strong start to her CAC outing, adding, “It was a good way to start off the campaign, starting off the first set it was 11-7 just to get my bearing in the game and continue playing. Coming down to the end I started to get my rhythm and the results came as it did and I’m really happy and I’m excited for the next round.”
The country’s men’s national champion, Shemar Britton, suffered a heartbreaking 4-1 loss in the round of 64 to be knocked out of the singles category.
Britton, coming up against Dario Arce of Mexico, won the first set 11-5 but was beaten in the second set 11-3.
Arce then won the next three sets straight, 11-7, 11-3, and 11-6, to take the match and advance to the round of 32.
Jasmine Billingy put in a spirted performance before losing 4-0 in her round of 64 clash against Kristal Melendez from Puerto Rico.
Melendez won the first set 11-4, and Billingy put in a more determined fight in the set, but it made little difference as she lost 11-8.
She was sorely beaten 11-2 in the third set before her best showing in the fourth set, 14-12, to lose 4-0.
Rene Mendez then beat Malachi Moore in their contest 4-0. Moore was handsomely beaten in a straight set 11-2, 11-6, 11-7, and 11-8.
Next up was Niran Bissu, who was swept by Jaiji Wu of the Dominican Republic 4-0.
Elishaba Johnson went down in his round 64 match-up against Costa Rican Jeison Martinez; it was a hard challenge with the Guyanese losing 4-0.
The CAC continues with doubles action on Wednesday.
