CHARLOTTE KOLLER (pictured) joined a long list of renowned names on the women’s singles honours board by claiming her first island title as finals night at the DHS Island Championships threw up surprise after surprise.
Gayle Lloyd failed to hold on to her singles crown as she lost out 21-13, 21-17 to 21-year-old Koller in the final.
The tall Koller was clinical with her deep shots that regularly landed just inside the base line.
‘I’m delighted,’ she said. ‘Lots of people were saying that I was finding my length. I don’t think she played her best, but I’ve not played that well in ages.’
The straight-talking Lloyd admitted afterwards that she had not been in top form during the encounter. ‘I was rubbish,’ she said. ‘I think I need a lot more practice.’
However, Lloyd did get some success over Koller later on in the women’s doubles.
Partnered by Sarah Garbutt, they got the better of Koller and Wendy Trebert 21-12, 21-16.
But the most striking result in the cold Rohais Halls came in the men’s singles final when defending champion Paul Le Tocq overcame former England international and new arrival to Guernsey Ian Sullivan.
The victory even seemed to surprise the island’s former badminton development officer and ex-Welsh Open champion, Le Tocq, who had taken a step away from playing competitively.
‘I’ve felt horrible all week,’ said the 26-year-old.
‘I’ve probably had a hit once every three weeks. The Gilson Trophy [in March] would have been the last competitive badminton I’ve had and then the closed before that.
‘So that’s two events in the last 13 months.
‘Everything that once felt natural now feels wrong.’
The final had initially looked as if it was going to go Sullivan’s way as the tall left-hander took the first game 21-11.
But the former world top-five mixed-doubles player was clearly struggling with an arm injury and he started to look out of sorts as Le Tocq took the second game 21-12 and then the third 21-11.
Sullivan’s injury was such that he had to pull out of the mixed-doubles final later in the night.
And possibly the match of the night took place in the men’s doubles final as Le Tocq and Quentin Petit faced Kevin Le Moigne and Chris Dragun.
Le Moigne and Dragun won the opening game 21-18 before their opponents hit their stride to claim the second 21-8.
Into the decider and it was Le Moigne and Dragun who took the honours as they won the game 21-19.
Dragun had won last year’s doubles title with Le Tocq.
‘It was quite nice to win it this year without him,’ joked the 27-year-old Dragun.
‘That was probably one of the best games we’ve had all season. I think we all played well.’
The mixed-doubles crown went to Garbutt and Glenn MacFarlane after Sullivan, who was partnered by Lloyd, pulled out.
Results in page 39DHS Island Championships: First title for 21-year-old student
Article posted on 6th December, 2008 - 9.29am
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