Top seed Melena Lopez took the women’s singles title in impressive style, beating Donna Gibbs when the annual Christopher Howitt Tennis Championships continued recently at the Ocean View Tennis courts.
Lopez dictated play from early for the 6-2, 6-0 victory, serving well and rushing the net at every opportunity. Her signature swing volleys were particularly aggressive. She also commanded from the baseline, and on several occasions played the drop shot to clinical advantage to defeat Gibbs.
Lopez had earlier in the week teamed up with Christopher King, the finalist in the men’s open, to take the mixed doubles competition by defeating Bernard Frost and Kayla Frost 6-1, 3-6, 11-9.
George Grant retained his men’s Over-45s title with a 6-2, 2-6, 10-8 win over unseeded Ian Harewood, who had his best tournament to date.
Grant, a gold medallist at the Huntsman Senior Games, took the advantage in the first set as Harewood’s forehand let him down.
However, Harewood recovered in the second, racing to a 5-1 lead before Grant started to find his range again. It was not enough to capture the set, forcing the all-important super tiebreak.
This remained close, with errors creeping in for both players, but Grant’s nerve was steadier and he prevailed.
The men’s Over-35s title will be contested between Raymond Forde and No. 2 seed Alan Grogan. Forde knocked out top seed John Chandler 6-4, 6-4 in the semi-finals. (PR/SAT)
