With perfect weather and a fantastic audience, the Barrhaven Tennis Club hosted a showcase of all-star tennis talent Saturday afternoon. Both semi-finals produced lots of great shots, mindblowing winners and fantastic rallies. Upon the completion of both matches, we now have a finals that should provide a great closing chapter to this week-long event.
The early semi-final match pit the #2 seed John Payette against the #6 seed Grant Gibson. In the early going, Grant looked to provide a message to John stating that although this was his first semi-final, there were no nerves on display. Grant broke John's serve with a massive one-hand backhand down the line. John maintained his composure however, and stormed back, ultimately taking the set 6-1. The second set, was mostly the same as John appeared to be on a mission, and that was capturing his first PLMT title. In the end, John Payette advanced to the finals on Sunday with a 6-1, 6-2 victory.
The second semi-final had familiar opponents as #1 seed and defending champion Samir Bhatnagar competed against the #4 seed Jim Catton. This was the first time these two had competed since the finals in 2009 when Jim Catton captured his first championship. Both players had a lot to prove going into the match, and it showed on the tennis court. Neither player held back hitting ferocious groundstrokes and finishing off rallies with overhead smashes. In the end, Jim Catton advanced to the finals defeating Samir Bhatnagar in straight sets.
Both consolation semi-finals took place as well on Saturday. Down a set to Paul Fischer, Matt Hepburn came back and won his semi-final match 1-6, 6-3, 6-1. His opponent in the finals, Ha Nguyen, will look to win back to back consolation finals as he advanced with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Chris Ward.
So the stage is set for the culmination of once again a great week-long tournament. Jim Catton and John Payette competed last year in the semi-finals with John prevailing 6-3, 6-4. Could last year's score play a factor in this year's event? Will John capture his first championship or will Jim succeed in winning his second tomorrow afternoon? One thing is for sure, this match will provide plenty of drama.
Here is the schedule for tomorrow's matches:
1:30: Matt Hepburn vs Ha Nguyen (B-Side Final)
2:00: 1 Samir Bhatnagar vs 6 Grant Gibson (3rd Place Match)
4:00: 2 John Payette vs 4 Jim Catton (A-Side Finals)
Additionally, following the A-Side Finals we will have the draw for the autographed Roger Federer hat, headband and sweatband. We will continue to accept raffle ticket purchases up until the end of the first set of the A-Side Finals.
Hope to see you there tomorrow for what is to be an exciting Sunday afternoon!
Patrick LeBlanc
Tournament Co-ordinator
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