Tennis medal hopes dashed

BARBADOS’ MEN’S TEAM took a battering as hopes of a medal in the team championships vanished on the second day of table tennis at the Central American and Caribbean Games in San German, Puerto Rico, yesterday. Colombia inflicted a comprehensive 3-0 drubbing that ensured the Bajans would not advance to the knockout rounds. From early, the enormity of the task was revealed when United States-based player Robert Roberts was soundly beaten by Alexander Echavarria 11-6, 11-3, 11-0    Barbados never recovered from the initial shock, and Trevor Farley folded in four games to Andres Rivera as Colombia took a commanding 2-0 lead. Farley and Mark Dowell went under in straight games in the doubles to Rivera and Juan Garcia as Barbados bowed out of the team competition. The women’s team also had their medal hopes dashed after suffering a second straight defeat. It was Guatemala who conquered them 3-0 on this occasion. Sabrina Worrell lost in straight games to Andrea Estrada, while Sherice Felix took a game off Mabelyn Enriquez.Worrell and Ann Reid put on a good showing in the doubles, coming from behind to level on two occasions before losing the fifth game at five.Barbados will now look towards the singles and doubles events which are scheduled to begin tomorrow. (PH)