The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@trbiunemdia.net

ON a day that was highlighted more by the rain delays, Bahamian tennis players Donte Armbrister and Isabel Donaldson gave it gallant efforts, but they both fell short in their men's and women's singles tennis matches at the National Tennis Centre yesterday.

After a long delay from early in the morning because of the rain, Armbrister finally got to complete his match against No.4 seed Eleftherios Neos late in the afternoon.

However, Armbrister lost 6-4, 6-3 before the rain halted play again.

The second delay forced officials to call off all the remaining matches, including the women's singles with Bahamian Isabel Donaldson taking on Anika Seneviratne of Sri Lanka.

Before the rain came the second time, Seneviratne was leading 3-2 and trailing 15-30 on her serve. After another delay, Donaldson eventually got ousted by Seneviratne, losing 6-2, 6-3.

"She was a good competitor. She was pretty solid. I was a little disappointed because I strayed away from my game plan at times," Donaldson said. "I think the rain delays had a lot to do with it. My serves were pretty good throughout the match, but she hit some good shots. I think she played smarter today."

Armbrister and Donaldson are the two Bahamian players representing the Bahamas in tennis.

In his match, both Armbrister and Neos held serve through the match, which was a lengthy one, until Neos got the only break to go up 5-3 in the second and he went on to hold serve for the win.

"Both sides wanted to win. It was just the passion of the game," said Armbrister after his heartbreaking loss. "I just think I fell short after he broke me."

Armbrister, 15, was coming off his opening 6-3, 6-1 win over Graham Mani of the Solomon Islands in the first round on Wednesday. He admitted that the second round against Neos was a little harder.

"The experience was wonderful playing Commonwealth Games at home. I like the enjoyment and the love from the crowd," Armbrister said. "I just have to keep on fighting and never give up."

With one victory under his belt, Armbrister said he can walk away from the games quite proud of himself.

Neos, who obviously was a little more experienced at age 17, said Armbrister gave a good account of himself.

"He has a good forehand and his footwork is amazing. He was having me running up and down on the court," Neos said. "I think he will play in the next Commonwealth Games in two years and he will do very well there.

"He's a very good player, so he just needs to continue to work hard."

As the fourth place finisher at the last Commonwealth Youth Games, Neos said he's looking forward to his participation in the rest of the tournament.

"The Bahamas is a very nice place, the conditions here, except for the rain, is very nice and the people here are so friendly," he said. "I'm glad to be playing here. "I will try my best and I will try to take home a medal."

Armbrister will get to continue in the games as he and Donaldson are scheduled to team up in the mixed doubles today.