The wonder kid continues to marvel.
Talented teen Kaipo Marshall is knocking on the door of Davis Cup selection, having made it out of the group stages to reach today’s semi-finals of the Top 8 Invitational at the National Tennis Centre.
Watched by a handful of spectators, including coach Paul Stewart, the 15-year-old Marshall encountered some early hiccups before upending college player Simon Lewis 6-4, 6-1 in his final group match.
It was just the latest in a long list of stellar showings from the fast-rising junior, who first pushed Davis Cup player Adam Hornby to the distance before coming from a set down to upset seasoned national campaigner Russell Moseley.
And he has yet another chance to impress against a regular Davis Cup selectee, having drawn Seanon Williams in today’s semi-finals after Williams topped Group 2 with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 victory over Xavier Lawrence.
Hornby capped his unbeaten run in Group 1 when Moseley was forced to retire hurt with a lower abdomen injury after losing the first set 6-3.
But all eyes were focused squarely on Marshall after the talented teen promised so much earlier this year by winning the men’s open national title and then following that up with great performances against Hornby and Moseley.
He didn’t disappoint yesterday either, having gone up an early break at 3-1 when Lewis missed some routine groundstrokes off either wing.
Lewis did take the break right back, though, hitting some huge forehand passing shots from almost out of nowhere to get back on serve at 2-3.
However, Marshall broke again with some deep returns and then consolidated with a crosscourt forehand pass for 5-2.
But Marshall’s inexperience subsequently showed, as he squandered three set points to lose serve for 5-4 after two backhand errors.
Lewis just couldn’t capitalise, watching Marshall hit two pinpoint passes in succession, including a forehand down the line on set point.
Marshall did give Lewis an opening to start the second set, going down 0-30 on serve following two unforced forehand errors.
Lewis gave back the initiative, though, missing two slices before Marshall closed out with a huge ace up the T.
Marshall then got on top of the set by breaking Lewis for 3-1 after his opponent shanked a series of forehands all over the court.
Lewis lost serve again at 5-1 following another set of unforced errors before Marshall duly finished off the match with two more big serves.
Moseley started positively against Hornby later on that same court, firing forehand winners from just about anywhere while trading holds with the Davis Cup player.
But Hornby started to move him around the court, and then broke easily at love to go up 4-2 after Moseley missed a slice and two easy forehands.
Hornby then held easily at love before serving out the set with a great pickup at the net.
Moseley promptly called it a day to set up today’s other semi-final between Hornby and Lawrence.
Aquille Trotman downed Robert Hayden 6-2, 6-0 in a meaningless Group 2 encounter.
In the women’s Top 6, college player Kiana Marshall made light work of Sanaa Hewitt 6-1, 6-1. (JM)