For the past few years the men have run things at the Annual Heineken Open Tennis Tournament making headlines while the ladies who have been few in number year after year took a back seat.
Not this year folks. This time around the gals are out in full force for the tournament and have easily surpassed last year’s registration number. No offence guys, although their game is not finely tuned as yours the ladies are much more entertaining to watch and their outfits are certainly more appealing.
A perfect example was Wednesday evening when well known Radio Personality Solange Stanislaus who is back in St Lucia, went up against Mariza Arciniega (Mexico) under the lights on court number one. I never knew Stanislaus played tennis but it seems during her two years abroad, she picked up a thing or two and judging by her tennis attire may have received some fashion tips from the William’s sisters.
The match was competitive but in the end, Arciniega came out on top 6-2, 6-3.
The second ladies match of the evening featured 1989 Sportswoman of the Year, Lindy Alexander. She made her debut in the tournament against Anne Dickinson (Great Britain). For Alexander who is a former OECS Squash Champion, the transition to tennis proved challenging. Dickinson emerged the clear cut winner of the match.
In another match played that evening, Sue Allamby defeated Saoli Mizutani (Japan) 6-4, 6-4.
Turning our attention to men’s play, in the 40 and over division, Martin Satney defeated Kim Louis 6-0, 6-1; Colin Hunte shutout Sergguei Chavyrine (Russia) 6-0, 6-0; Keith Grenda registered a 6-2, 6-1 win over John Haggis (Great Britain); David Cooper got past Toshihara Takkafumi (Japan) 6-1, 6-1; veteran Titus Butcher made quick work of John Haggis winning 6-2, 6-2; Colin Hunte was victorious over Lester Alvis 6-1, 6-0; Denis Mauricette stopped Simon Alltonisz 6-0, 6-1; and Derek Mougul was victorious over Sergguie Chavyrine 6-1, 6-1.
In the men’s open division, on account of rain only one match was completed with Jervone Antoine defeating Logan Lum Kong 6-2, 6-2.
In men’s open doubles, Omedele Philips/Logan Lum Kong got past Anselm Mathurin/Vilan Edwards 6-3, 6-3.
In the last match of the evening which kept spectators watching until 10:15 pm, Ron Blanchard /Sirsean Arlain prevailed over Brent St Catherine/Manish Mahtani
6-2, 6-0.
