Videos: Tennis Players Expected To Medal
[Updated + Written by Stephen Wright]
Bermuda’s tennis players are expected to bring home more medals after a superb day of competition at the NatWest International Island Games in Guernsey, the Channel Islands, today [July 12]
Shelby Madeiros, in the women’s singles, and Gavin Manders and James Finnigan, in the men’s doubles, will compete in the semi-finals of their events at the Guernsey Tennis Club tomorrow.
They have already secured at least two bronzes to add to the bronze the men’s team won on the first day of the Games on Sunday.
Madeiros, competing at her first Games, defeated Ffion Fletcher, of the Cayman Islands, 6-3, 7,5 in the quarter-finals of the women’s singles.
The 20-year-old will face Natasha Forrest, of Jersey, in the semis.
“I had so much fun, gave it my all, and came out on top,” Madeiros told Bernews. “I’m really pleased with my performance.
“I’m looking forward to the semi-final. I’ll give it the same energy I’ve given all week.”
In the men’s doubles quarters, Gavin Manders and James Finnigan defeated Felix and Filip Devallius, of Gotland, 6-3, 7-5.
Manders, the Bermuda team captain, had to serve underarm for much of the second set because of a pectoral muscle injury.
The local pair will attempt to improve upon their bronze medal position when they face Aland’s Zacharias Fosstrom and Nathan Schultz in the semis.
Manders, who is playing in his final Island Games, said he contemplated retiring from the match because of the severity of his injury.
“I couldn’t hit a serve or a forearm shot,” he told Bernews. “I talked to James and asked him to help me out, chip in, and it’s a big win for us.
“I thought about retiring and didn’t think I’d be able to play through it. But I’ve brought home another medal with my mate; it doesn’t get any better.”
The 37-year-old said he will seek medical advice before deciding whether to play in the semis.
“I need to find out if it’s a proper tear,” Manders added. “I’ll take some time to think about it and see how it feels once the adrenaline calms down.
“I want to play, and most likely will, but if it’s something that will threaten the rest of my year, I’ll have to think about.”
David Thomas and Christopher Weeks also competed in the men’s doubles quarters, losing 7-6, 7-5 to Alexander Berg and Oscar Berg of Menorca. In the men’s singles quarters, Finnigan was beaten 6-1, 6-1, by Stuart Parker, of Jersey.
Update July 13, 2.30pm: It’s official, tennis player Shelby Madeiros has won a bronze for Bermuda in singles and Gavin Manders & James Finnigan claim bronze in the men’s doubles.
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