AUSTRALIAN Dane Sweeny scored the upset of the day yesterday after beating top seed Finn Reynolds of New Zealand in the quarter-final of the Oceania Closed Junior Championship at Nadovu Ground in Lautoka.
Sweeny came out of the blue to create the biggest news of the day beating Reynolds in two sets with a score of 6-4, 6-4 and losing one 6-4.
The outcome has put the Australian among three other favourites in today’s semi-finals.
Second seed, Ajeet Rai of New Zealand is highly tipped to win the top award after beating Rinky Hijikata with a score of 6-4 and 6-3.
The other two players likely to make their mark in the semi-finals are Campbell Salmon who defeated Tristan Schoolkate and Ken Cavrak for his win over Marsen Sisam.
International Tennis referee Patrick O’Rourke said the competition was tough has rated second seed Ajeet Rai as the front runners after the early loss to Reynolds.
“It is a high standard competition and the highest level of competition to be held in Fiji,” said O’Rourke.
“We have some very good players and we have witnessed exciting games with close scores.”
He said Papua New Guinea’s Apisah Violet was the favourite for the women’s singles.
“Apisah is also the defending champion and she is on track to defend her title.”
Meanwhile, no locals qualified for the semi-finals while Carol Lee who trained in Fiji has secured a semi final spot after beating the high profile Megan Smith of Australia.
The tournament will continue today.
