Derek Webb congratulates Alice Loveridge after her second win of the day. (0655163)
SO FAR so good for Guernsey’s two brightest prospects for medal success at the Commonwealth Youth Games.
Heather Watson and Alice Loveridge triumphed convincingly on day two in hot and humid Pune where the temperature was up in the high 30Cs.
Watson, the number-five seed in the under-18s’ tennis tournament, thrashed Shani Williams from Antigua 6-0, 6-0. It was all over in 37 minutes’ play.
Watson won at a canter despite a first-serve percentage of only 53 in the opening set and 60 in the second.
The Guernsey girl won 51 points in total, compared to the outclassed Williams’ 18, and was happy enough.
‘It was really hot, but I played well, especially my serve. I was very aggressive and the points were very short. The support was great and that always helps,’ Watson said.
Her third-round opponent is Aretha Muttiah from Sri Lanka and those in the Guernsey contingent who saw her play yesterday commented that she will be a much tougher opponent for Watson.
But the performance of the day came from Nic Thibeault who narrowly lost out 6-4, 6-4 to the top seed, Emmanuel Sunday, of Nigeria.
The scoreline did not reflect the close game which was played for two hours in a midday heat approaching 110F.
The Old Elizabethan was pleased with the way he had played.
‘It was a great experience, but his extra experience showed in a few key points and that determined the match.
‘Conditions were really hot and to play for two hours in that heat was quite something. I enjoyed it very much.’
Tennis manager Michelle Watson was ecstatic about his performance.
‘It was a fabulous match and Nic would have beaten him on grass or indoors. He would have beaten any other opponent in the competition. Nic hasn’t played at the same international standard as Emmanuel Sunday and that was the difference.’
There was little to choose between the two in terms of serving percentage.
Thibeault’s was at 58 and 57, Sunday’s 63 and 57.
In the table tennis arena, Loveridge and Garry Dodd both faced tough matches in their opening group stage.
But Loveridge won easily against her first opponent, Zura Khaukhia from Uganda, whom she beat in straight sets, 11-4, 11-5, 11-4.
She then showed all the plucky determination that is the hallmark of this 14-year-old when she eventually beat Vita Madilak from South Africa over five sets.
It was her first performance on centre table and the victory ensures that she goes through to the knockout stage and that is the only avenue to medals.
Dodd looked jittery in his opening match and never really got into his stride.
He lost over four sets to Trinidad and Tobagan Kile Borneo. He now faces the number 12 seed from Singapore and can expect lively support from the growing group of Guernsey fans.
Team manager and GTTA president Derek Webb said the island champion had not been at his best.
‘He wasn’t happy with his game. A bit nervous, perhaps.’
Webb added that conditions were excellent, although it had not been so pleasant prior to the tournament starting.
‘It’s a very good venue. We had a couple of days without air conditioning but it is fine now.’
Meanwhile, the swimmers continue to train hard and are looking forward to their first rest day today before competition begins tomorrow. They have been ever-present as Guernsey cheerleaders in the tennis and table tennis arenas.
Athlete Hywel Robinson looks in great shape for the 400m heats which will take place at 8.10 this morning Guernsey time.
Alun Williams, athletics manager, is pleased with Robinson’s approach to the race.
‘Many of the athletes have been complaining about the early starts for the heats but Hywel is just enjoying every moment.
‘We know that there is real quality here. Hywel was chatting to a runner from Guyana at the track only to find that his 400m time in the world junior championships was half-a-second faster than Dale Garland’s Guernsey 400m record.
‘Hywel is a cool customer, in good shape, and I am sure that he’ll do well.’
The team also enjoyed the colourful experience of the opening ceremony, especially Alexander Beaton, the flag bearer for the Guernsey team, who simply said: ‘It was awesome.’
Article posted on 14th October, 2008 - 2.30pm
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