THE BEST OF FIVE tennis affair has now become a race to two.
One day is in the books and absolutely nothing has separated Barbados from Puerto Rico in their pivotal Davis Cup tie after both countries’ No. 1s coasted to straight set victories in yesterday’s opening singles matches at the Wildey Tennis Centre.
It was the expected outcome of Day 1 of a five-match elimination Group II rubber that will now come down to winning two of the next three matches – today’s doubles encounter and the ensuing reverse singles matches tomorrow.
Buoyed by boisterous home support at the hardcourt venue, Barbados took an early advantage in the do-or-die tie when overseas-based pro Darian King swept aside Christian Garay 6-2, 6-1, 6-0 in a match that was more lopsided than the score suggests.
But Puerto Rico’s No.1 Alex Llompart merely returned the favour, evening the rubber just a couple of hours later by disposing of surprise singles selection Seanon Williams 6-1, 6-3, 6-2.
