Mariama EASTMOND and Shari Watson were both going after doubles titles last night at the Wildey Gymnasium in the Shuttlers Badminton Summer Open 2010 but only one could achieve the feat. That’s because the two Barbadians were scheduled to play each other in the women’s singles finals before teaming up to take on Jess Wilkins and Lucy Mason in the doubles final. Watson defeated Wilkins 21-14, 21-10 in Tuesday night’s semi-finals, while Eastmond had a much easier road. She was leading 21-10 before Shakeira Waithe retired hurt.In the doubles, Watson and Eastmond beat Waithe and Tamisha Williams 21-12, 21-9, while Wilkins and Mason took out Sabrina Scott and Sandra Ward 22-24, 21-11, 21-15.
The men’s singles finals is an all British affair between Alex James and Tom Stanford, who knocked out the last two Barbadian males en route to the final. James beat Kevin Wood 21-13, 21-11, while Stanford needed three matches, coming from behind to beat André Padmore 17-21, 21-17, 21-12. On Monday night, Dave Forde displayed good skill and movement coming back from his six-week training stint in Malaysia, but still went down to the young and energetic Nicholas Reifer 21-17, 21-16. Forde’s technical ability and control in both games allowed him to ease slightly ahead, but Reifer demonstrated poise under pressure and was able to seize control of the second round match. In the quarter-finals, Padmore beat Reifer by a walkover.
Meanwhile, the mixed doubles featured two married couples going head-to head. Britons Ruth and John Jeffrigs beating Claudia Martindale-Campbell and Christopher Campbell of Barbados 15-21, 21-16, 21-17 after overcoming a slow start. John Jeffrigs was basically able to control the game, as the bird was often pushed to midcourt or lifted in the backcourt where he was able to smash it back to his opponents half. The Barbadian duo played away from their strength, not setting up the bird at the net where Claudia Martindale-Campbell was often caught out of position and unable to retrieve the shuttle.
Last night, the tournament was scheduled to come to a close with the finals also to be played in the men’s doubles and mixed doubles and the third place games in all categories. (SAT)
