The British Open Singles Semi-Finals
It is an all Australian final
Steve Virgona today showed everyone something just a little different. He is fitter, waiting for his opportunities and kept in the match from start to finish. His win over Camden Riviere was thoroughly deserved. The final score was 6/5 5/6 6/2 6/4. Did he have any obvious weaknesses? Well the drag serve was not working too smoothly, but one did fall into the Winning Gallery only to bounce out to a hazard chase!
Some of the restes were electric and had to be seen to be believed. On average Steve came out the winner.
Camden was definitely out of sorts, not showing his normal composure or focus on each point; there was almost a lethargic air surrounding him. The only time he showed real grit was when down 0/4 in the fourth set when he played some great tennis to get the score back to 3/4; then it all seemed to evaporate again. Steve just kept his composure even when Camden won another game when Steve was leading 5/3. Steve only had one match point and that was all that was needed. He really did play an exceptional game. Camden will have to go back to the drawing board now to work out a new way of defeating his closest competition, excluding Rob of course.
The two world champions then stepped on court. It was approximately Rob’s 80th Open Semi Final and Jamie Stout’s 1st. I arrived at the court with Rob at the hazard end and the score was 3/0 in Jamie’s favour. Was this going to turn out to be the Thriller in Manila or was Rob just taking his time? For those of you who have not heard of Jamie, he is the current Rackets World Champion and works with Mike Gooding at the New York Racquet & Tennis Club. He is also a left hander.
Jamie moves effortlessly around the court and his shot making is spectacular and his retrieving leaves the jaw hanging a bit! Interestingly Jamie uses a gallery to win a chase, but a gallery was only used on occasions to lay a chase. He seems to prefer to move his opponent around the court and then to deftly lay a short chase. I think we may see this tactic change in the future.
Rob Fahey at 0/3 down though went into action. He didn’t hit many winning openings in this set; 1 grille, 1 winning gallery to win the first set, and 3 dedans (excluding anything that may have happened in the first three games). He used speed, athleticism and power to stop Jamie winning another game.
The second set was a mirror image of the 1st but in Rob’s favour. Jamie also claiming the 4th game. That was it though and the set was won 6/1. Rob wasn’t at the hazard end that often and he hit 5 grilles, one to win the set and 2 winning galleries. Although a set of only 7 games, Rob was looking a bit hot at this stage!
In the third set Jamie tried everything, but Rob has seen all of the tactics used before against him, so he was ready. Rob went to a 3/0 lead before Jamie won another game and barring an accident it was obvious that Rob would be the victor. At 5/1 up Rob lost another game in which Jamie played really well but it was soon to be all over. Rob dominated serve in this set and he hit 4 grilles and 1 dedans.
Jamie’s stats for winning openings was 2 dedans in the first set, 1 grille and 1 dedans in the second set and 3 grilles and 2 dedans in the final set.
Just as an absolute aside here some spectators have said to me prior to the tournament starting and in the early rounds that they would really like Rob to give other players a chance of being in the Final......! Well shame on them all, Rob Fahey now at the age of 41, is still showing how this game is played. Yes, Rob’s time as the best current tournament player will come to an end, but only Rob knows when this will be and all of us who call ourselves aficionados should welcome and relish seeing this extraordinary Champion still playing at the top of the game.
The Singles Draw can be seen by clicking here