'I'm hoping to get my shot against Bascome'

FRIDAY, JULY 8: The dust has yet to settle upon this year’s Natwest Island Games, but tennis star Gavin Manders already has his sights on the next event.

Bermuda will host the games in 2013, thus providing local players the opportunity to showcase their talents in front of the home crowd.

Manders said: “I am really looking forward to that, especially for Bermuda tennis and all of our fans and the people who have supported us in our training.

“They will really get to see us playing at a higher level. It’s going to be great to see that, and I will be ready to represent Bermuda and see if we can bring some more medals in.”

The past Male Athlete of the Year Award recipient won a silver medal in the men’s singles at the recently concluded Island Games in the Isle of Wight.

Manders went down in straight sets (6-2, 6-3) against Panav Jha of the Cayman Islands in the singles final.

But if it was any consolation the 25-year-old tennis star won the gold medal in the men’s doubles after teaming up with Jenson Bascome.

Gold

The pair won the gold at the expense of compatriots David Thomas and Naim Azhar, who they defeated 7-5, 6-4 in the final.

Manders played a grueling 13 matches in less than six-days in the Isle of Wight against what he regarded as “formidable opposition”.

“That competition keeps growing. The level of competition has gone way up.”

Overall, Manders said he was satisfied with his performances at the Island Games.

“I was definitely proud of my fitness and the way that I fought.

“I represented Bermuda to the fullest.

“Obviously, it would’ve been good to get two gold medals, but you can’t have it all.”

With the Island Games now behind him, Manders has shifted his focus to this month’s Argus Open.

“After coming from the Island Games with two medals I am feeling pretty good with my fitness and level of play. I’m definitely looking forward to the tournament.”

Due to international commitments for Bermuda, Manders missed last year’s Argus Open.

Bascome won the men’s single title in his absence.

Earlier this year Bascome handed Manders a first loss in years at the WER Joell Tournament.

Since then Manders has been eager to avenge the rare defeat.

“Jenson had one victory against me that broke my three year streak, and so I will definitely be looking to get a shot at him again.”

Confident

Manders considers Bascome and Azhar as the biggest threat to his championship aspirations.

But he is confident he can overcome the challenges that lay ahead.

“I train with these guys all the time and so I know their level. Either way I will be ready.”

Bascome won last year’s Argus Open men’s singles crown after handing Julien Tinot a 6-3, 6-3 loss in the final.

The women’s singles title went to teenage star Tyler Smith, who beat Kayla Cross 7-6 (10-8), 6-3 in the final.

Smith has been on fire and won a bronze medal in women’s singles play at the Island Games.

Other contenders could be the Lambert sisters, Jacklyn and Tara.