THE?MEN’S semi-finals have been decided in the Open division of the annual Christopher Howitt Tennis Championships.
No.2 seed Russell Moseley booked his spot with a thrilling victory over Andrew Thornton in three tight sets at the Ocean View Tennis Club last weekend.
Thornton came out with guns blazing. He broke Moseley in the third game of the first set but Moseley immediately fought back to level the score. Thornton eventually went on to win the tiebreaker at 7-5 to claim the first set.
The second set was a repeat of the first with both players displaying high-quality tennis, each trading breaks of serve in the middle of the set. However, Moseley broke again in the ninth game and served for the set, going on to win 6-4.
Thornton’s aggression continued in the third set. He took an early 2-0 lead but a resilient Moseley refused to back down, levelling the score 2-2.
The four-hour encounter finally ended with Moseley dismissing Thornton 7-4 to set up a showdown with veteran Bernard Frost in the semi-finals.
Frost gained his spot at the expense of defending champion Duncan Evanson, blanking him in straight sets 6-4, 6-4.
In the top half, No.1 seed Seanon Williams overcame a slow start against Mathew Weir to triumph in straight sets. He lost the first set 4-6 but rebounded to take the next two 6-1, 6-3.
Williams will now face Dylan Hall in the next semi-final.
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