Fernandes loses to Bajan
... but Fraser makes successful title defence
By Michael DaSilva
Stabroek News
August 14, 2002
Defending Caribbean men's squash champion Luke Fraser, made a successful defence of his title, while compatriot Nicolette Fernandes surrendered hers, when the finals of the men's and women's individual competition of the Lucozade Sport Southern Caribbean Championships was contested at the Cascadia Hotel Courts on Monday night.
Fraser defeated Trinidad's Don Lee 9-3, 9-7, 9-1 to take the men's title, While Fernandes, the number one seed, lost to Barbados' Karen Hoggarth the number two seed, 8-10, 7-9, 4-9.
Guyana's Shawn Badrinauth, beat Barbados' Gavin Cumberbatch 9-6, 9-2, 9-1 to take third place while another Guyanese, Robert Fernandes, lost the fifth place play off to Trinidad's Paul de Verteuil by a 1-3 margin (1-9, 3-9, 10-9, 9-10).
Reports state that the Robert Fernandes versus de Verteuil match was the most exciting of the men's individual competition. "The two provided the excited partisan crowd with the most thrilling squash for the tournament so far," newspaper reports stated.
According to Guyanese Alwyn Callender who is contesting the veterans category, Hoggarth is an English player who represented her English County prior to migrating to Barbados just over two years ago.
Callender said because Hoggarth has been residing in Barbados for over two years, she has qualified to represent that country.
The English based Callender told Stabroek Sport by telephone Hoggarth is a highly trained player who is much more older than the 19-year-old Fernandes and has more experience in the sport.
Callender is however confident that Nicolette will turn the tables on Hoggarth in the team competition.
Fraser qualified for the final by beating his compatriot Badrinauth 9-3, 9-3, 9-1 in the semi-final, while Nicolette disposed of Barbados' Sonia Perkins 9-1, 9-4, 9-4 in her semi-final encounter.
So far Fraser has not dropped a set and very few points in five matches of the championships.
The team championships commences today.