Kaipo Marshall is really making a strong case for himself. The longshot to make the Davis Cup squad sure looks like a serious contender now, having come from a set down to beat seasoned campaigner Russell Moseley in yesterday’s Top 8 Invitational tournament at the National Tennis Centre.
Playing in front a handful of spectators at the unofficial trials, the 15-year-old Marshall won the last eight games on a canter to pull off an unbelievable 2-6, 6-2, 6-0 comeback against the Davis Cup veteran.
It was the second impressive performance in as many days from tennis’ new wonder kid, who pushed another Davis Cup player, Adam Hornby, to the limit before eventually losing a three-set thriller.
But he didn’t let this one get away, taking control immediately after the first set by refusing to drop serve in both the second and third stanzas.
And he broke Moseley early in the second by taking advantage of his limited movement to jump ahead 2-0 in the set.
Moseley did have a chance to break back immediately with two great backhand lobs but the talented teen saved break point with a huge first serve down the T.
He held serve easily the rest of the way and then broke Moseley to win the set on a gorgeous backhand return winner crosscourt.
Marshall came up with an even better one two games later to break again for 2-0 at the start of the third set.
However, he did find himself in trouble during the ensuing service game after almost handing the break back when he went down 30-40.
But Marshall came up with the goods when it mattered most, hitting two huge first serves to avoid the break before slapping yet another winner crosscourt.
He wasn’t done just yet either, having produced a similar forehand passing shot to break Moseley for 40-0 when the veteran miscued a pair of forehands.
Marshall quickly held at love and then finished off the game on some more errant Moseley forehands.
It was nothing like the Moseley who started the contest with an array of winners from either wing.
The seasoned veteran was particularly severe on anything to his forehand, having passed Marshall almost every time the upset-minded kid ventured to the net.
At one point Moseley fired successive passing shots against an unmoved Marshall before uncharacteristically closing out the first set with an ace.
However, Marshall started to move the more seasoned campaigner around the court with great success early in the ensuing second.
Later on the same court, Hornby maintained his unbeaten record in that Group 1 by beating Simon Lewis 6-4, 6-3.
Seanon Williams also moved to a 2-0 record in Group 2 when he defeated Aquille Trotman 6-3, 7-5, while Xavier Lawrence picked up his second win in as many days with a 6-1, 6-4 victory over Robert Hayden.
In the women’s Top 6, women’s teenaged national champ Hannah Chambers whipped Tangia Riley-Codrington 6-0, 6-0 while her rival Gabrielle Leslie downed Sanaa Hewitt 6-0, 6-2. (JM)
