By Tiadi Blair

Kristian Jeffrey and Nicolette Fernandes repeated their performance of yesteryear by defending their respective male and female national Open singles titles in this year’s Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) sponsored championships on Saturday evening at the Georgetown Club’s squash courts.

Kristian Jeffrey

In the male final Jeffrey got past Reagan Pollard while Fernandes got the better of Keisha Jeffrey.
Fernandes said afterwards that Jeffrey was very good adding that she was surprised by some of the great shots Jeffrey played during the game.

“It feels great to win but I was really surprised by the way Keisha played compared to last year,” she said.
Ashley Khalil overpowered Kayla Jeffrey in the third place play-off.

The men’s final was jam-packed with action from the get go to the end with Jeffrey having to fight tooth and nail against Pollard.

Jeffrey took the first game 11/4 but Pollard took the second game 11/9.
Jeffrey however took the next two games 13/11 and 11/5.

Tournament co-ordinator Robert Fernandes held a short presentation of trophies to all winners, runner-ups and special awardees for the tourney. He thanked sponsor GT&T and staff at Georgetown Club for hosting the championships for yet another year.

Nicolette Fernandes

Results from Saturday night’s final.

Ladies’ Open
Final – Nicolette Fernandes defeated Keisha Jeffrey 12/10 11/6 11/7
Third Place Playoff – Ashley Khalil defeated Kayla Jeffrey 12/10 4/11 11/7 11/5.

Men’s Open
Final – Kristian Jeffrey defeated Regan Pollard 11/4 9/11 13/11 11/5
Third Place Playoff – Nicolette Fernandes defeated Alexander Arjoon 11/5 11/3 11/5.
Ladies’ Consolation

Final – Mary Fung-A-Fat defeated Victoria Arjoon 9/11 11/6 11/7 11/6
Third Place Playoff – Chantelle Fernandes received a walkover from Daina King.
Men’s Consolation

Final – Robert Fernandes defeated Raphael deGroot 11/9 11/8 5/11 7/11 11/6.
Third Place Playoff – Jerozeno Bell received a walkover from Deje Dias.
Sportsmanship Award – Gabrielle Fraser.
Most Improved Player – Keisha Jeffrey.