Downes, Andrews capture GBTI men’s doubles title

Anthony Downes and Jason Andrews Thursday night defeated Gavin Lewis and Daniel Lopes to win the men’s doubles title at the 2013 Guyana Bank of Trade and Industry (GBTI) lawn tennis competition at the GBTI Recreational Centre.

Downes and Andrew triumphed 6-2 and 6-3. The unseeded pair of Andrews and Downes produced raw power coupled with speed to defeat the nation’s top junior players who put up a fight but were no match for their bigger and stronger opponents.

Both pairs matched each other’s ground strokes in the early exchanges of the match.

Anthony Downes (left), and Jason Andrews
Anthony Downes (left), and Jason Andrews

A number of unforced errors, coupled with a few double faults was the theme of the first set for Lewis and Lopes who quickly folded 2-6 in the first set. The second set produced more of a fight from the youngsters but

Downes and Andrews upped their game to win the second set 6-3.

The win was the fourth consecutive GBTI doubles title for Andrews and the first for Anthony.

In singles action, second seed Leyland Leacock had to fight his way into the final of the men’s Open singles by the fourth seeded Lewis in their semi-final clash.

Leacock won 7-5, 6-4.

Also winning on Thursday evening was Jesus Lamazon and Khawn Rodney in the novices doubles medley while Darren King won the men’s novice singles category.

Last evening Shelly Daly Ramdyhan and Leacock defeated Nicola Ramdyhan and Gavin Lewis 2-6, 6-3, 6-1 in the emixed doubles final.

The tournament will conclude this afternoon with the men’s O35 and men’s Open singles.

In the men’s O35 final Godfrey Lowden of Berbice will oppose Carlos Adams while Downes and Leacock will clash in what should be a hotly contested  men’s singles final.