Russell Moseley will play Andrew Thornton in the singles final of the SOL/Island Heritage Nationals Men’s Open today from 6 p.m.
Thornton got a free pass to the final due to the withdrawal of top seed Haydn Lewis, who retired prior to their semi-final encounter with a back injury.
In the other semi-final, Moseley defeated fellow Davis Cup teammate Seanon Williams 6-3, 7-5 in a match that saw both players start aggressively.
Williams, last year’s champion, was the first to falter after making early unforced errors that cost him his first service game. Moseley then quickly went 3-1 and took advantage of the one break and served out the set.
In the second set, Williams began with some spectacular shots that earned him a break in the first game on Moseley’s serve. After three more breaks of service between the players, Williams crept ahead 4-3, putting pressure on Moseley to hold in the crucial eighth game, which he did.
Williams then had his chances at the end of the set, serving at five-all 40-30 and with Moseley at 15-30 in his last service game but a patient and experienced Moseley was able to force the break and serve out the match for a place in the final.
The rivals have also earned their places in the semi-finals of the doubles. Russell will partner his brother Ryan Moseley against Gavin Hutchinson and Simon Lewis for a place in the final, while Thornton and Williams will play the winners of the quarter-final which pits Bernard Frost and Matthew Foster-Estwick against Dylan Hall and Emil Trotman.
In an unfortunate turn of events, Kiana Marshall was a no-show for the women’s open final, giving Cherise Slocombe the title.
In other news, Barbados’ top Davis Cup player, world No. 319 Darian King, picked up additional ATP points in his first-round main draw victory over Andrea Collarini of Argentina (ATP 254 ranking).
King won 2-6, 6-3, 5-2 retired, at this week’s Challenger event in Cali, Colombia. (EZS/PR)
