A highly competitive Boys Under-18 semifinal between Miguel Wong and Jamal Nicholas is expected to heat up the Queen’s College Auditorium today after both players had quarterfinals triumphs in the Titans Scotia Bank Table Tennis tournament yesterday.
Both players had contrasting wins, with Wong, the number one seeded player, making light work of Terence Rausch 11-8, 11-7, 11-6.
Nicholas on the other was pushed to the limit by 13-year-old Isiah Layne in an enthralling exchange of slams.
Nicholas took the first set 11-8, before Layne, who had much of the crowd behind him, struck back to the second 12-10. It was a seesaw battle from thereon, with Nicholas winning the third 11-8, and Layne, the fourth, by a similar score line.
However, it was the experience of Nicholas which got him over the line in the final set 11-9, as Layne squandered a few opportunities to close out what would have been a thrilling upset.
Niran Bissu, also won his quarterfinal, getting the better of Jonathan Van Lange in another thrilling five-setter, 11-8, 6-11, 9-11, 11-8, 11 -8. Bissu will face Yeudistie Persaud, who defeated Kaysan Ninvalle 11-9, 9-11, 12-10, 11-5.
Meanwhile, Thuraia Thomas will face Saana Jacques in the first semifinal of the Girls Under-15 category, and Neveah Clarkson will battle against Nkechi McRae in the other semifinal today.
The Boys Under-15, Girls Under-18, Under- 21 Open and the ‘B’ Class Open matches will commence today.
