Team Serghios Savvides - Christodoulos Charalambides wins the prestigious
tournament after 2 sets 6:1, 6:4
Report by Rocco Sulpizio
This year’s tournament final overlapped with the ATP Tour Masters 1000 semi-finals in Madrid. However, not surprisingly the loyal crowd preferred the game on the magic courts in the Cypriot capital over the show-down on the Iberic peninsula. The grandstand was filled with tennis addicts and professionals, the support was fairer than in the Caja Magica Stadium nearly 5000 kilometres away and the winning prize not as mindboggling as in other big tournaments.
The game started at 5 pm on court 5. There was a little breeze, but weather conditions were ideal. The youngster team Serghios Savvides-Christodoulos Charalambides put the experienced team of Paris Lambrou-Dakis Apokides under pressure right from the beginning. Their strategy worked out and within 30 Minutes the 1st set had was won 6:1.
The 2nd set Paris-Dakis started stronger, probably thanks to the refreshment and the coaching (or the thread?) of the family members. They put up a fiercer resistance and their game turned more efficient. Nevertheless, despite the improved strategy, the older could not cope with the pressure of their opponent and lost the set 6:4.
It was a good game with no verbal abuse nor strategic interruptions. The referee was straight forward and left no doubt who was running the game. All in all, it was a nice event and the final game finished with a cordial hand shake and a smile. The afterparty gave everybody a good opportunity to enjoy the varied goodies on the buffet table.
The local professionals were well presented and supported the playing teams very effectively.
Such a tournament does not fly on its own and only thanks to the effort of important people behind the scenes the game became reality. The ruthless impresario, manager and event-organizer Menelaos, Vassos, Makis, Sergios & Kyriacos
….the court manager Demetry were key to the tournament..
The players wife & family followed the game very attentively and were a strong support to the teams
Both crews played well and hard for the trophy, but finally youth and stamina prevailed over age and “bankers gold” (commonly known as extra pounds around the hips).
The match ended 6:1, 6:4 in favour of Serghios and Christodoulos.
The players deserve a big thank you for the extreme fair game, Even tight decisions by the umpire were taken without objection, the support of the hawk eyes was never needed.
Thanks to the families and……
………..friends for the strong support.
The organizers did a flawless job and last, but not least, many thanks for all the goodies that were prepared for the after-match party.
Finally, many thanks to our great Sponsors, NELAZA LTD & Mavros
Hope to see you all at the next Grand slam.
