O’Connell On Course
Fiji’s top seed and United Kingdombased William O’Connell braved the heat to win over New Caledonia’s Icham Tidjine in two straight sets at the Denarau Golf and Racquet Club yesterday.
The 25-year-old won 6-3 6-2 in the Men Open Singles and will advance to the next level of competition of the 2018 Fiji Tatslotto Open Tennis Championship.
“It was a tough match but I played well. My young opponent definitely pushed me to play harder. I had to play well to win,” O’Connell said.
Tidjine, 15, said the match was tough. “William is a really good player and I can’t really play my game,”he said. Defending champion in the Open Men grade Gilles De Gouy of Tahiti beat New Caledonia’s Joakim Hmana (6-1, 6-2).
“It was a solid match for me because I had many good first serves. I tried to be aggressive on the return serve and luckily it worked today,” the 46-year-old said. Fiji’s Mulan Kamoe defeated Crystal Christman of Samoa.
“This first match was easy for me and I was playing it easy. But I know this tournament will be tougher than last year,” the 18-year-old said.
Top third seed Yaelle Honekoko of New Caledonia won comfortably over Elena Sise of American Samoa (6-0 6-0).
The 2018 Fiji Open is sponsored by Fiji Tatslotto in association with Fiji National Sports Commission, Sports World, Aquasafe, Denarau Golf and Raquet Club and Punjas. Feedback: waisean@fijisun.com.fj