Defending champion Kaipo Marshall produced an incredible fightback to beat Xavier Lawrence and keep alive his hopes of retaining the Barbados Tennis Association Top 8 men’s single title.
Playing at the National Tennis Centre, in a rematch of last year’s final, Marshall remarkably came from a set down to advance to today’s final, winning 3-6, 7-5, 4-2 after Lawrence was forced to retire hurt due to cramp in a tense contest that lasted for three hours.
The 18-year-old Marshall looked beaten as Lawrence aggressively won the first set and led 4-3 in the second to stand on the brink of victory before three straight break points gave the match a dramatic twist.
For once in the tournament, Marshall’s trademark fighting spirit seemed to have deserted him with several unforced errors, but with his back against the wall, he snatched a break-point at 4-4 when the animated Lawrence sent a forehand return crashing into the net. (AGB)
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