Road Tennis Victories at Silver Hill
Kirt “Bruce Lee” Alleyne stole the show when the Barbados Road Tennis Open 2024, round of 64, continued at Silver Hill Christ last night.
Playing before a good crowd in a set that lasted just under 40 minutes, Alleyne, a tennis entertainer, took the first game over Trevor Ifill, 21-17 after the game was tied at 14, 15 and 16 all at one stage. In the second game, Ifill rushed to a 13-5 lead, which was extended to 16-6, and 20-13, before he held on to win 21-15, as both players were involved in some long rallies and a high-level display of tennis.
In the decisive third game, Ifill again held the upper hand as he secured a 10-4 lead, only for Alleyne to dig deep and reduce the deficit to 16-14 at one stage. Ifill led 18-16, but Alleyne tied things up at 18-18 before advancing to take the lead 19-18, a lead he would never relinquish as he won the decider and the set to the delight of his supporters.
In the end, Alleyne was victorious 21-17, 15-21, 21-18 and he couldn’t contain his joy, sharing with fans about his victory.
The opening match-up on the card was also very exciting as Brommel Griffith came up against Edwin Ward. Ward lost the first game 14-21, and things were about even in the second game when the rains came and interrupted play for 65 minutes.
When that game resumed Ward upped his display to prevail 21-14, in a game that lasted one and a quarter hours. Ward then went on to outbattle Griffith in the decider 21-17, to prevail 14-21, 21-14, 21-17, in a set that lasted an hour and 45 minutes.
Adrian Scott was also too good for Rommel Forde on the night, as he won in straight sets 21-9, 21-7 in a ruthless display within 17 minutes.
Dwayne Lynch also cruised past Ryan Jordan in straight sets, 21-8, 21-14, and Ahijah Blunt was too good for Jesse Haynes, securing the victory 21-10, 21-16.
One of the tournament’s favourites, Emar Edwards put on a dominant display, as he eased past teenager, Raheem Nurse 21-9, 21-11, in 22 minutes of quality tennis.
Despite being beaten by a better opponent Nurse was not daunted, exhibiting some quality shots and a fighting spirit, clearly demonstrating that in the years to come he’s likely to prevail in the top road tennis tournaments in Barbados.
Also in Saturday night’s action, Antonio Yearwood was workmanlike as he outpointed Marcellus Gustave 21-14, 21-17. The nightcap was another exciting encounter as Brandon Arrendell got the better of Ezekiel Ward 21-18, 25-23.
All told the action at Silver Hill ended just before midnight with fans witnessing five hours of exciting tennis action. The BRTO Open 2024, moves to Dover, Christ Church on Sunday night for the final games in the round of 64.
All of the winners on Saturday’s night card at Silver Hill have advanced to the round of 32 in the BRTO Open 2024.