Voyager Open Tennis Tournament ends on a High Note

Aviona Edmund, Jean Philippe Murray Max William and Brianna Jn Baptise were among the big winners as the Fifth Annual Voyager Open Tennis Tournament presented by Go! Insect Repellent ended Saturday at the Kenneth “Wriggler” King Multi-Purpose Sports Complex. Edmund won a three setter against worthy challenger Iesha Emile in a very entertaining match that required a tie to decide the winner.

Commenting on the match Edmund said: “It was a long and tiring match. I had to work a lot to get this. I put everything I had, will power, determination and I got through.” Having lost to Emile in a previous competition, Edmund who had her own cheering section, shrugged off the idea this was a revenge match but if anything it motivated her.

When asked what the turning point in the match was, Edmund replied: “It was the third game in the third set. I just said to myself I can’t do that. I can’t be afraid to hit the ball and I am not playing like I usually do. So I had to relax and play the way I am accustom to and it worked.” Murray who attends Tyler Junior College in Texas, won his final in convincing fashion over Maxx William. The day before the final he had a grueling semifinal match against Akeem Gustave which he won 7-6 (4) and 6-3.

One would have thought Murray would be fatigue having played the night before the final but he used it to his advantage. “Yesterday’s semifinal match against Akeem was very tough and I knew if I fought hard and won which I did, it would have paid off in the final said Murray.” So said so done!

Prior to the prize giving Tournament Organizer, Sirsean Arlain remarked: “We are very, very happy for the turnout this year for the tournament. It has been a long journey. We started off with just an actual adult tournament and now it has grown into one that encompasses kids and adults alike something we are very proud of here. It was definitely a challenge having this many people entered but we loved it. Over the past 10 days there were a few days of rain but we got through it alright. We had a bit of international flavor this year with players from the United States and France. We always appreciate when we get players from overseas playing in our local events which adds a little bit of spice to it. We also had some of our collegiate players take part this year which was a first.

Sponsor Manish Mahtani who also competed in the tournament also addressed the participants: “I am very happy with the way the tournament went,” he said. “It has been going on for the past five years and I am very pleased with it and it seems to be getting better. I am especially pleased with the participation. I want to thank the participants and their parents and the media for providing great coverage. It really heartens me to see a lot of new faces because it shows the sport is growing. It also heartens me to see old faces because it shows me that people are still playing the sport which is great.” 

Final results. Girls 14’s: Latoya Murray defeated Brianna Jn Baptiste. Girls 18’s: Aviona Edmund 6-1, 6-2 over Netanya Faissal. Boys 18’s final: Maxx William won 6-2, 6-1 over Arden Rosemond. Boys 18’s doubles: George/William defeated Fontenelle/Rosemond 6-0, 6-2. Women’s double final: Paul/Emile emerged victorious over Edmund/Leon 6-2, 7-5. Veterans final: Brent St Catherine defeated Jonathan Gladding 6-4, 7-5, 10-3. Women’s final: Aviona Edmund registered a 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (4) win over Iesha Emile. Men’s doubles final was played at a later date.