GBTI Tennis: Resaul and Kalekeyzi edge the David-Longes in four-hour clash

The youthful pair of Vadeanand Resaul and Jeremiah Kalekeyzi survived a gutsy performance from the father-and-son duo of Saevion and Steve David-Longe in a four-hour battle on day two of the GBTI Tennis Open

Resaul and Kalekeyzi prevailed 6-7(8), 7-5, 6-4 in one of the longest matches in the history of the tournament.

The David-Longes had the upper hand early, as nerves and unforced errors gradually crept in from the former junior champions. The David-Longes capitalised on their opponents’ mistakes to take the first set 7-6.

The second set saw both teams executing blazing groundstrokes and well-timed volleys, before the David-Longes came up short on serve and handed the decisive break of the second set.

After both teams traded breaks on serves and struggled to hold their serves and nerves, Kalekeyzi fired two aces in the twelfth game to secure the set and level the match.

Resaul and Kalekeyzi wasted no time as they secured early breaks in the final set and rushed to a 4-1 lead. The David-Longes saved multiple match points on the verge of a spectacular comeback, but the youthful pair saved their best tennis for last, and celebrated the win in three gruelling sets.

Other notable results: 

Girls Open Singles: Reigning champion and number one seed, Renola Jordan made light work of her younger sister Norella Jordan, with a 6-0, 6-1 victory to make back-to-back GBTI semi-finals.

Boys Open Singles: Last year’s finalist and number one seed, Gerald Scotland defeated Navinda Arjune 6-1, 6-1. Number two ranked Hayden Mentore defeated Denzel Luthers 7-6 (8-6), 4-6, 10-4, and nathan DeNobrega extended his run by defeating fellow club member and three seed, Isaiah Cambridge 6-4, 6-4.

Novice Men’s Singles: Emanuel Barker defeated Jaryl Bryan 7-5.

Novice Medley Doubles: Harvey Stoll/Karen Hulefeld defeated Khadija Kyffe/Vinish Etwaroo 6-0, and Okesha St. Kitts and Ridhldan Kasim defeated Breanna Simpson and Keron Wade 6-2.

Men’s Open Doubles: Jonathan Fagundes and Oswin Coggins defeated Isaiah Cambridge and Denzel Luthers 4-6, 6-2, 7-5.

Men’s 45 and Over Singles: Veteran Harry Panday defeated Jake Thomas 6-1, 6-2.

Ladies Singles: Paula Kalekeyzi received a walkover from Justine Kennedy.