The status quo stayed firmly in place on day one of the BCQS Barbados International Squash Masters at Marine Courts.
A couple of the seeded players were taken to four sets, but other than that, it was plain sailing.
However, the match of the day was the five-setter between Mark Oliver and Michael Best as they entertained the crowd with some scintillating strokes. It was Oliver who took the encounter 11-7, 8-11, 6-11, 13-11, 11-7 as they battled stroke for stroke in the men’s 55-64 classic.
Top seed and defending champion in the Women’s Over 55, Caroline Goodridge, held off the number 4 ranked Valarie Worrell 12-10, 11-7, 9-11, 11-6 in a pulsating duel.
Caroline’s father, the stalwart Rudy Goodridge, had a much easier ride against Trevor Dunkley, winning 11-5, 11-1, 11-2 in the 65-plus category.
Defending champion in this division, Trinidadian John Holley, also had it easy, dismissing Dennis Dias in straight sets.
The 35-44 contender in the men’s division, Rhett Cumberbatch, stopped colleague Copeland Straker 11-3, 11-5, 11-8.
Dean Straker came from behind to beat Robert Low 4-11, 11-6, 11-4, 11-8.
It was easy for Lynn Decambra-McLeod as she swept aside Diane Gagne-Pacey 11-4, 11-0, 11-6 in the Women’s 55 and over. The number 2 seed in this section, Lucyla Seale, defeated Donalda Myers 11-8, 11-5, 11-3.
Second seed in the 35-44 division, Nadia Harris, beat Alison Smith-Padmore 11-3, 11-4, 11-3. (PR)
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