Digicel 2017 Senior Nat Squash C/Ships… Nicolette Fernandes opts to play in Men’s Division, beat Nicholas Narain

Jul 21, 2017 Sports, http://www.kaieteurnewsonline....eat-nicholas-narain/

Shomari Wilshire make auspicious senior debut

The 2017 Digicel Senior National Squash Championships entered its second day on Wednesday night at the Georgetown Club with competitive matches in all four categories.

As expected, several of the top seeds easily advanced to the quarter finals in the Men’s and Women’s Open with 34-year-old Nicolette Fernandes, ranked 19 on the professional Circuit, opting to play in the Men’s Open.

The flamboyant and stylish Fernandes was pushed hard in the first game by Nicholas Narain in a game punctuated by long rallies before the Caribbean Squash Queen prevailed 12-10 in a close game. However, the gifted Fernandes changed gear and easily won the next two games 11 – 2, 11 – 1.

Caribbean U-15 Champion Shomari Wilshire made an auspicious start to his senior National career when the slimly build right-hander beat 5/8 seed Regan Pollard in five competitive games 10 – 12, 11 – 5, 9 – 11, 11 – 2, 11 – 4.

Nyron Joseph lost concentration and dropped the second game 4 – 11 after winning the first game 11 – 0 in his match against Peter Michael De Groot. He then restored order winning the next two games 11 – 4, 11 – 4.

Defending Men’s champion Alex Arjoon easily disposed of Jonathan Antczak 11- 1, 11 – 2, 11 – 2, while No2 seed Richard Chin proved too good for Adam Alves winning 11 – 6, 11 – 4, 11 – 2. Three/four seeds Kristian Jeffrey and Jason Ray Khalil both also had easy wins. Kristian Jeffrey defeated Javid Rahaman 11 – 2, 11 – 1, 11 – 3, while Jason Ray Khalil took care of Alex Cheeks 11 – 4, 11 – 4, 11 – 4.

Two five/eight seeds however lost to lower seeded players. Jean Claude Jeffrey beat 5/8 Ben Mekdeci in three close games 12 – 10, 11 – 8, 11 – 7.

In the Women’s Open, Makeda Harding had to call on all her experience to defeat Abosaide Cadogan 11 – 4, 13 – 11, 7 – 11, 11 – 3, while Victoria Arjoon defeated Kirsten Gomes 11 – 5, 11 – 2, 11 – 5. In the other Women’s match played, Sarah Lewis beat Madison Fernandes 13 – 11, 11 – 9, 11 – 9.

In the Men’s Veterans 35 – 49, Allan Downes beat Medhi Ramdhani in four games. Scores were 8 – 11, 11 – 6, 11 – 9, 11 – 5. Joe Mekdeci then defeated Robin Low 11 – 3, 11 – 1, 11 – 5, while in the Men’s Veterans Over-50, Joe Mekdeci overcame Steven Persaud 11 – 3, 11 – 6, 11 – 4.

Play was scheduled to continue last night with the quarter finals matches in both the Men’s and Women’s Open. Round robin matches were also fixed in the Veterans categories.

Caribbean U-15 champion Shomari Wilshire plays off the glass to register a hard fought win over Regan Pollard on his National Senior debut on Wednesday night. (Sean Devers photo)