Russell Moseley wasn’t going to be denied.
Not again.
The big let-downs have been finally replaced by one huge sigh of relief as local tennis’ top-ranked player broke through for his first national title at long last, whipping former No.1 Bernard Frost 6-1, 6-0 in Tuesday night’s lopsided final at the Wildey National Tennis Centre.
It proved the perfect cap to a surreal run of form for the top-seeded Moseley, who won the last five tournaments after dropping his fourth successive national final last year.
And this victory couldn’t be any more fitting, with the dreadlocked No.1 getting revenge against the man who handed him his last defeat in October last year.
“He was just too strong,” said the 46-year-old Frost of his 27-year-old opponent.
“Some days you’re the hammer and other days you’re the anvil, and I was definitely the anvil this time.”
Maybe “nail” would have been a better figure for comparison, considering the pounding Frost received.
From the opening service game, Moseley jumped all over the seasoned vet, hitting one forehand passing shot after another in an effortless display of shot-making from the baseline.
It didn’t help matters any that Frost routinely sprayed his trademark backhand slice long, or that his chronic shoulder injury reduced his serve to a mere sacrificial offering for his opponent’s renowned return game.
Moseley wasted no time in taking advantage either, breaking Frost in the match’s second game and twice in total during a first set that lasted all of 20 minutes.
Time after time, the top seed produced lusty winners – 13 in total – and none better than the inside-out forehand passing shot that set up break point for a 5-1 lead.
Frost actually won none of the points off his second serve, while battling an extremely efficient opponent who had just 12 unforced errors in a 42-minute match.
“I just feel my game has really matured right now and everything is coming together for me right now,” said Moseley.
Results
Women’s OpenSingles: (1) Melena Lopez defeated (2) Kiana Marshall 7-6, 6-2.Doubles: Kiana Marshall/Cherise Slocombe def. Donna Gibbs/Sue Rogers 6-4, 6-7, 10-8.Men’s OpenSingles: Russell Moseley def. Bernard Frost 6-1, 6-0.Doubles: Ryan Moseley/Russell Moseley def. Andrew Thornton/Duncan Evanson by walkover.Mixed Doubles: Matthew Weir/Cherise Slocombe def. Kiana Marshall/Ajani King 7-6, 6-1.Women’s Over-35sSingles: Donna Gibbs won the three-player round robin 2-0.Doubles: Donna Gibbs/Sue Rogers def. Helen Roper/Margot Thompson 6-1, 6-1Men’s 35sSingles: (2) Matthew Weir def. (4) Lloyd Slocombe 6-1, 6-4.Doubles: (2) Matthew Weir/Julian Baird def. (1) Kevin Yarde/Lloyd Slocombe 6-4, 6-3.Women’s Over-45s:Singles: Helen Roper won the three-player round robin 2-0.Men’s 45s:Singles: Lloyd Slocombe def. (1) George Grant 6-2, 7-6 (4).Doubles: (1) George Grant/Raymond Forde def. Lloyd Slocombe/Paul Stewart 6-4, 6-2.Men’s 55s:Singles: George Grant won the four-player round robin 3-0.Doubles: George Grant/Raymond Forde def. Tyrone Mapp/Peter Symmonds 6-4, 6-4.Men’s 65s:Singles: Tyrone Mapp def. Jack Ramsey 6-1, 6-0.