There has been a major upset at the Barbados Road Tennis Open 2024.
Number two men’s seed Shakeem Nurse has been knocked out of the tournament by the unseeded Curtis Jones.
Playing in the nightcap game before a good crowd at Dover, Christ Church last night in the final game of the round of 32, Jones defeated Nurse 21-17, 17-21, 21-19.
Simply put Nurse made too many unforced errors and his apparent indiscipline in cutting out the slam which wasn’t working for him contributed to his downfall.
That match lasted for just over 40 minutes and had the crowd glued to their seats, as they contemplated the possibility of Nurse, a two-time finalist in the BRTO open exiting at an early stage.
In the end, Jones held his nerves and composure absorbing all the pressure to prevail over Nurse and advance to the round of 16 in the BRTO OPEN 2024.
Last night showman Kirt “Bruce Lee” Alleyne also bounced back after losing the first game to Keon Murrell 18-21 to win the set by taking the next two games, 21-18, 21-12, in a display of cautious but quality tennis action.
Antonio “Lil Man” Daniel sauntered through against Sylvanus Doyle to win in straight sets 21-11, 21-15 in just under twenty minutes.
In a keen encounter, Antonio Yearwood defeated Jamar “Bob” Best also in straight sets 21-18, 21-19 as his experience shone through.
In ladies’ action, teenager Kezia Blunt defeated Julia Morris-Young 21-14, 21-19, whilst Marvalene Neblett was too strong for Michelle Griffith 21-9, 21-11.
Kyana Holder and Rachel Smith also advanced to the round of 16 in the BRTO OPEN 2024, as their respective opponents Jalesa Holder Vaughn and Miranda Manning withdrew from the tournament.
Holder withdrew on account of travel engagements overseas, whilst Manning withdrew for medical reasons.
The action in the BRTO OPEN 2024, switches to the round of 16 on Saturday night at Belfield in St Michael at 6:30 pm.