Newry Tennis Club
It was a very early start on the second day as tournament stalwart and twice Plate winner Gary Hanratty started out against newcomer Cian Geeney. So not many about to see it, but I can suggest Gary used his big groundies to get off to a good start at 6-3. But Cian obviously felt more comfortable in set 2 and in this reduced format had a chance to equalise in the tiebreak using his pleasing slice. But it was experience that told and Gary progresses. Another morning match saw the Karate Kid himself Neil Mcmahon take out Gary Smith. With Cobra kai, now on I am not sure who is who is Daniel and who is Johnny in the scenario anymore. Life is complicated. Gerry Sweetman was on accurate form as he bossed the shots against the ever improving Christopher now in the senior ranks.
There was a flotilla of honking lorries and it was not to welcome Russell playing Roy, but for a charity drive. So as the cavalcade passed by, the 2 R’s started out on a 2 hour 40 minutes battle for what would turn out to be a 2 set match! In what were arduous long rallies in scorching sunshine, Russell came back from 1-3 down in the first set and 3-5 in the second to get through. In what was a beautiful day two ladIes matches ended proceedings. The indomitable Vivienne Bond had too much power for Denise who herself produced admirable tennis. Sarah outlasted Sinead in a long second set tiebreak. So we have yet to have the final set champions tiebreak scenario, we still have that to come!
Day 3 could have been renamed Mixed Doubles Day as three of the four matches were in that competition. The exception was Malachy Patrick McAteer playing great tennis to oust newcomer Conor McEnhill. I have no doubt Conor will move up our rankings quickly but this was a baptism of fire and he did what he could against the McAteer onslaught. Best friends Sean and Brian seem to face each other often in tournaments, and this was an interesting tie. Great to see a good number of spectators to watch this in the sunshine, in particular our warrior Peggy Magner, Sean was smashing his forehand whilst Irene was as solid as a rock to prove too strong for Brian and Shauna on the day. At the same time, Malachy doing double duty was back again and had a rapid fire start with Sarah winning the first 7 games v Marie and James. But it became much closer and as James tried to get to the net and Sarah used her lobs, it was a grandstand finish in the second set going to Mal and Sarah 64.
The late evening show saw Vivienne and Russell come though a tense battle with Pat and Deirdre. The two men slicing and the two women trying to carve out gaps on the courts. Viv and Russ held on to win as everyone wanted to get back to enjoying the sunshine!
