Vanneck and Leader book berth in Century final
went on to defeat Alice Duff and Bruce Bernan 7-6 (7-2), 3-6, 6-1 to advance into today's final of the Coral Beach Invitational Tennis Tournament's Century Mixed Doubles.
Trailing 5-6 and down 15-40 on Duff's serve, Vanneck and Leader went on the offensive with Vanneck lobbing Duff before Bernan hit an easy forehand wide when well placed at the net to give their opponents the momentum they needed to win the first set.
But that momentum was quickly snuffed in the second set when Duff and Bernan broke early on their way to levelling the match only to see Leader pick up his game to lead his team to victory in the third set.
"That was the difference in match,'' admitted Duff. "Earl picked up his game, becoming more aggressive, and try as we might to play more to Nannie, Earl just dominated.'' Within an hour, Leader was back on the court, this time with Bernan as they defeated Patrick O'Kelly and Joe Heffernan 6-1, 6-1 in only 43 minutes to take the Men's 45 doubles title.
In a match that seemed to last forever, Joan Hassell literally outlasted her friend and local host, Gill Butterfield, in a three and a half hour marathon to win the Women 45 singles title 6-2, 3-6, 7-5.
"It was a match that we both deserved,'' gasped exhausted Hassell moments after the conclusion.
The length of the final brought back memories of years past when Butterfield played marathon contests against Jan (Crichton) Quinn, Marianne Herbert and the nearly all-day (five hour) contest she had with American Anna Means.
It was the third time that Butterfield had met Hassell in a final. Each has been a three-setter and each has gone to Hassell.
In men's action unranked Brian Way, playing the game of his life, upset second seed and hot favourite Greg Frigerio 6-2, 6-4. The dominance of Brian, the lesser known of the Way brothers (Billy and Michael), was highlighted on the final point of the match when he served an ace on his second service.
For the first time in their careers in an open tournament it will be an an all Way final featuring Michael and Brian.
TABLE TENNIS PP Bermuda Table Tennis Association will hold a youth tournament today at Elliott School gym starting at 1.30. The tournament is for boys and girls, aged seven to 10, 11-13 and 14-17 and those participating should report by 1.00 to register.