THE KING held court once again.
Barbados are all even with the Dominican Republic in their crucial opening round tie after local No. 1 Darian King slammed Jose Hernandez to level today’s Davis Cup Group I encounter at the National Tennis Centre.
With a buoyant home crowd support behind him, the world No. 291 blitzed Hernandez in an eye-popping 6-1, 6-3, 6-0 straight sets victory to turn the best-of-five tie into a race to three.
Earlier, world Top 60 player Victor Estrella gave the visitors an initial 1-0 lead when he cruised to a routine 6-1, 6-1, 6-1 win against Seanon Williams, who was surprisingly elevated over customary Bajan No. 2 Haydn Lewis for the opening singles match.
But King snatched that advantage right back, subduing a visibly demoralised Hernandez under a barrage of passing shots from either wing.
The tie shifts to tomorrow’s all-important doubles match at the same venue, where King and Lewis are expected to face Estrella and Hernandez before the showdown concludes with the reverse singles. (JM)
