Top seeds Julian “Michael Jackson” White and Anthony “Ears” Mitchell will face off in the “A” final of the inaugural Belfield Road Tennis Club/SJ Health & Bakery Limited Road Tennis Competition at the Belfield court, St Michael, today at 7 p.m.
Weather permitting, a modern-day clash of the titans is expected after both veterans cruised through their respective semi-final matches.
White progressed to the final round after dispatching Curtis Jones in straight sets 21-11, 21-8, while Mitchell rolled over Marson Johnson 21-18, 21-9.
The last time the two met White came out on top 21-18, 21-19 in the finals of the National Inter-Parish Road Tennis Championships earlier this year.
The top-seeded White will have a tough battle on his hands this time around as well because Mitchell looked in ominous form in dismissing Johnson.
Both players possess a wide arsenal of shots so fans can look forward to some long rallies since the two are known to consistently rally between 20 and 30 balls before a point is won.
White’s ability to exploit the perceived weaker forearm of Mitchell has been the hallmark of his victories over his opponent in the past, but if Mitchell can formulate a counter-attack against his arch enemy, an entertaining and exciting duel will definitely be on the cards.
The “B” final, slated to begin at 6:30 p.m., will pit John “Floats” Cumberbatch against Junior “Big Arms” Boucher.
Cumberbatch was clinical in his demolition of Andrew Holder in the semis, while Boucher had a much harder time before putting away Terry “Boss Hogg” Skeete.
It will be a battle of the forearms in this duel; Cumberbatch is known for his “chopping style” while Boucher showed his wide array of forearm shots in the semi-final.
Boucher, who will have to be very selective in choosing which balls to attack, will also have to be very wary of Cumberbatch’s ability to float the ball once it is played with his backhand.
Road tennis fans will also be treated to a “shotgun” (one game) competition at 8 p.m. that will feature eight selected “B” and eight “A” players.
