IF THERE is one sport in which Guernsey are seriously eyeing medals and domination, it is tennis.

Most of the Guernsey team bound for Aland benefited from a visit of LTA coach Phil Hill. L-R Tracy Hubert, Rick Denton, Dehink Mc Luskey, Niw Robinson, Jo Dyer, Chantene Firth, Richard Smeed and Carly Tucknott.

One of the highlights of the 2007 games in Rhodes was Dom McLuskey and Patrick Ogier winning their singles matches against the Cayman Islands in the final to secure the gold medal.

Across all the sports, the pair are arguably two of the best sportsmen that Guernsey are sending to Scandinavia.

And the bad news for the Sarnians’ opponents is that the pair are undoubtedly stronger players than when they were in Rhodes.

‘I know that I’m playing better than I was two years ago, by a long way,’ said Ogier.

The 21-year-old was celebrating this week after obtaining a first class degree in English Literature at Nottingham University and he has also been excelling on the tennis court for the university as he helped them get promoted from Midlands 1A Group and into Premier North, which contains some of the top outfits in the country.

The dreadlocked right-hander also picked up his biggest scalp recently when he defeated internationally ranked and 1.1 rated player, Chris Nott.

The victory also took Ogier’s rating up to 2.2.

‘It’s the biggest win I’ve ever had,’ said Ogier.

McLuskey has also been making waves since Rhodes.

The 19-year-old, who is a tennis scholar at Tyler Junior College in Texas, was named the USA Junior College rookie of 2008.

This year he was the second highest ranked player on the junior college circuit.

Guernsey tennis team manager Rick Denton cannot wait to get out to Aland and see McLuskey and Ogier in action.

‘They are in great form,’ he said.

‘Their ratings have dropped and they are playing twice as well as they did two years ago.’

The duo are joined in the side by captain Chris Hickling.

The 35-year-old New Zealander, apart from being one of the nicest people in Guernsey sport, is an accomplished player himself and also featured in Rhodes.

The last player in the team is promising 17-year-old Nico Robinson, who comes in for the fourth member of the Rhodes side, Rob West, who is playing in America this summer.

As top seeds in the team competition, Guernsey receive a bye in the opening round and go into the quarter-finals, where they will meet either Rhodes or Gotland.

Victory here would see them in the semis and possibly up against great rivals Jersey, led by Andrew Evans.

By getting all the way to the final, a meeting with number two seeds Cayman Islands could be on the cards.

‘The Cayman Islands are really strong and Jersey will be quite strong. Andrew is a good player,’ said Ogier.

‘Gotland will put out a strong side and Aland will be tough. It will be tough but we’re hoping to do well.’

The only downside in Rhodes was that, despite picking up silver in the doubles, the Greens did not perform to their best in the individual competition.

McLuskey had to pull out early with injury while Evans knocked out Ogier in the third round.

West and Hickling also failed to reach the quarters.

‘Me and Dom didn’t do as well as we could have in the singles,’ said Ogier.

‘Hopefully this year we can do better.’

While the Guernsey men’s team are arguably a stronger outfit than they were in Rhodes, the women’s certainly are.

They welcome back into their ranks Tracey Hubert.

The 28-year-old missed the last Games as she was studying to become a teacher. She will play number one for the side.

Also back into the fold is Chantelle Frith.

The Grammar School PE teacher, who turned 32 earlier this month, was another absentee in 2007.

Younger players Carly Tucknott, 23, and Jo Dyer, the 17-year-old daughter of former Muratti captain Chris, join them.

‘It is a stronger team than it was,’ said Denton.

‘Our biggest boost is having Tracey back. She’s a big hitter and a very confident player.

‘Chantelle is also a very experienced player and she strokes the ball nicely.

‘Jo is a very strong young player coming through and Carly works very hard on her game and she’s got herself very fit.’

Guernsey tennis teams:

Men: Dom McLuskey, Patrick Ogier, Chris Hickling, Nico Robinson.
Women: Tracey Hubert, Chantelle Frith, Jo Dyer, Carly Tucknott.

Medal hopes: Gold surely beckons for McLuskey and Ogier in the team event and hopefully some medals this time round in the singles as well. But you never know who will turn up to play them…

Team qualifying groups
Men – Guernsey, Rhodes, Gotland.
Women – Guernsey, Isle of Wight and Aland.

Schedule:
28-29 June: Team competitions.
30 June: Singles and doubles.
1-2 July: Singles, doubles and mixed.
3 July: Finals.

Medal hopes:
Seeded one in team event for good reason.  Individually, McLuskey and Ogier could go all the way. Medals also possible in various doubles.