40 Open Single Titles

Fahey wins

Tonight at Neptune’s British Open Final we saw a most intriguing match between Rob Fahey and Steve Virgona.

Steve Virgona, as I pointed out in my report on his semi-final win has never looked so fit and focused to the task in hand.  Tonight in the final, he had the same demeanour on court and the first set, although a close one, had Virgona winning the ‘important’ points.  The first set took 45 minutes to complete.  In the second set Virgona was 4/2 up and Fahey was missing the winning openings or on return of serve putting more into the net than back the other side!  Also Virgona was playing perfect length ‘soft’ balls to Fahey’s backhand and these had him struggling.  But something went awry at this point, foot off the pedal, thinking about the next set, who knows?  Fahey slowly crept back into the set and took it 6/5.  In the third set at 2/1 to Fahey he was ahead for the first time in the match, then there was no stopping him.  Both players were forced into errors through the brilliant play of each other, but it really did look as if Fahey would win this third set, which he did 6/4.

Fahey’s tactics were interesting too, he did not run as many balls down as in the past; to be ‘cruel’ he is probably not so fast or agile, but he has worked this one out to his advantage.  Have the long chases, I will win the chases from the hazard end.  He did this nearly all the time.

There were the most spectacular moments in the match, sadly they should have been recorded as they were fast, furious, then delicate and quite mesmerizing, Top Drawer stuff.

At the presentation Robin Geffen made an announcement saying that Neptune Investment Management have one more year of their current sponsorship to run but as the financial climate is still not too stable they wished to announce tonight that Neptune will continue their sponsorship for an additional five years;  This was greeted by huge gratitude by all present.

It was a great final, Fahey now has won 40 open singles titles; the most amazing achievement and feat.  Congratulations to him and commiserations to Steve Virgona, who has never played so well only to lose.

The final score was 5/6 6/5 6/2 6/4