Jogis wins badminton

Press, 20 July 1987, Page 24

Jogis wins badminton

Canterbury had little luck in the McKenzie Canterbury open badminton championships at the week-end, with only one of its players making it past the quarter-finals in singles play. Prasanna Gulasekharem was beaten in the semi-final by Glenn Stewart (Counties). Chris Jogis, a visiting United States player and ranked twentieth in the world, met Stewart in the final and in a lengthy match which brought the best out of both players, Jogis managed to take the title, 15-13, 18-13. In the women’s singles final, Toni Whittaker (Auckland) played a steady game and beat the lively Nicola Vipond, of Waitemata, in two sets, 11-6, 11-6. The men’s final was notable for the long, hard and fast rallies. Scores were even right through the first set and it was not until Jogis gained service at 12-all that he put two needed points between him and the persistent Stewart. Stewart broke the Jogis service, scored one more point but was forced in to a mistake giving Jogis the serve and eventually the set. In the second set, Jogis did not allow himself to get behind and when he looked to be waning, the American just changed up a gear and played hard shots straight at Stewart’s body. Both left-handers were not

giving up but when the score was locked at 13-all and the first to five points game started, the stamina of Jogis took over. He has played more than 70 badminton matches in the last four weeks. He won all five points and took the title. It was his second victory against Stewart. Two weeks ago, in Auckland, in almost an identical game, Jogis narrowly beat the Commonwealth silver medalist. Whittaker had a tactical game in the women’s singles final and her experience was too great for the young Vipond. Whittaker played many good, deceptive shots, appearing to smash the shuttle but instead just dropping it over the net. She also forced Vipond in to mistakes and out of position on the court. But the game was not all one way. Vipond played a spirited game and did not let up until the final point was scored against her. Jogis said it was the hardest game of the championships by far and that the standard of New Zealand badminton was on par with that in the United States. He has just spent three weeks touring the country with nine other players from the United States. Other good performances in the championships came from lower-grade players. Steven Hurring, in the A reserve grade, won every match he played and with good partnering had to play only one match to three sets. Craig Allsopp and his brother, Glen, played several marathon games in the C grade. The brothers went home with the men’s singles and the men’s doubles titles between them and Craig was beaten in the mixed doubles. Results.— Open grade, men’s singles; Chris Jogis (United States) beat Glenn Stewart (Counties) 15-13, 18-13. Women’s singles: Toni Whittaker (Auckland) beat Nicola Vipond (Waitemata) !!*&, 11-6. Men’s doubles: Graham Rob-

son and Jeff Sowter (Auckland) beat Glenn Stewart (Auckland) and Shaun Midgley (Canterbury) 15-9, 15-4. Women’s doubles: Sandra Henare (Auckland) and Jane Clarke (Canterbury) beat Toni Whittaker and Lyn Scott (Auckland) 18-14, 17-18, 15-7. Mixed doubles: Graham Robson and Toni Whittaker beat lan Skelt (Southland) and Jane Clarke (Canterbury) 159, 15-12. Men’s plate: Graham Sercombe (Canterbury) beat John Fletcher (Canterbury) 15-10, 15-9. Women’s plate: Diane Smith (Canterbury) beat Pauline Millar (Southland) 11-8, 12-11. A reserve, men’s singles: S. Hurring beat G. Rogers 15-8, 15-12. Women’s singles, L. Dick beat H. Lewis 11-7, 11-1. Men’s doubles: S. Hurring and J. Bumard beat S. Thompson and C. Kho 15-12, 9-15, 15-6. Women’s doubles: L. Dick and B. Fisher beat C. O’Hara and L. Schwass 15-8. 15-5. Mixed doubles: S. Hurring and J. Little beat D. Healey and H. Lewis 17-14, 15-8. B grade, men’s singles: T. Sintes beat G. Jenkins 15-7, 15-8. Women’s singles: L. Flewellen beat R. Bright 11-1, 11-4. Men’s doubles: R. Brantley and G. Jenkins beat W. Kay and M. Scutts 16-17, 1512, 15-10. Women’s doubles: Y. Hosking and S. Jones beat L. Quartly and S. Bootherstone 18-17, 15-11. Mixed doubles: M. Siddall and L. Quartly beat A. and R. Duff 15-12, 18-14. C grade, men’s singles: G. Allsopp beat C. Allsopp 11-15, 15-5, 17-15. Women’s singles: G. Roche beat K. Payne 11-7, 11-5. Men’s doubles: G. and C. Allsopp beat G. Conner and A. McCloy 18-16, 2-15, 15-10. Mixed doubles: C. Morrish and J. Brittenden beat C. Allsopp and V. Callaghan. D. grade, men's singles: G. Templeton beat M. Bunt 1510, 18-13. Women’s singles: J. Revis beat L. Skerten 11-1, 11-1. Men’s doubles: G. Coumbe and G. Templeton beat B. Forbess and P. Taylor 15-6, 18-17. Mixed doubles: J. and J. Revis beat N. Camp'bell and L. Marriott.