Stubbings revels in tennis victory

 Papua New Guinea’s Matthew Stubbings has set a standard for Team PNG supporters in defeating Vanuatu’s Almeric Mara 7-5, 7-0 in the first set of the men’s team event semi-final yesterday.

Stubbings said he was nervous at first to compete with Mara, who is Vanuatu’s best tennis player and nearly let him down, but he managed to control his emotions and won the match.

“People like Mara and some of these New Caledonian players are very competitive as they have advanced skills in tennis,” Stubbings said

“I was just thinking that I was their strongest challenge and I gave all my best and fortunately, I won the first set of the men’s single in teams event.

“It was a win for me, my team members, including the officials, my family and my country,” Stubbings said.

He said he was feeling motivated playing at home and looking forward to the bigger challenge, which would be the grand final. PNG’s Mark Gibbons, however, was unsuccessful in the second set of his singles match in the men’s team event against Vanuatu’s Cyril Jacobe.

Jacobe won in the third round with a score of 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.

Gibbon’s defeat has pulled back Papua New Guinea men’s tennis team to challenge the Tahitians in the men’s team event for the bronze medal at Steamships Racquet Club today.

Vanuatu has qualified to take on New Caledonia in the men’s team event grand final today because they lead with a higher percentage points despite a win and a loss against Papua New Guinea.