RAIN almost spoiled the Seychelles Tennis Association's Open competition finals on Sunday March 21, but it stopped just in time to let Fatim Kanté retain her ladies' singles title and Tim Horpinitch succeed Anthony Brioche as the men's champion.

On the damp and slippery centre court at Roche Caïman, former national team coach Horpinitch taught ex-student Brioche a lesson that he might never forget.

Chosen by the STA to replace Horpinitch as national team coach after the Australian's contract was not renewed following a two-year term in the job, Brioche had no answer to his ex-master's powerful game.

Unforced errors by the actual number one Seychellois player and fierce forehands as well as an ace by Horpinitch, helped the Australian to an easy 2-0 (6-0 6-0) win under an hour of play.

Judging from Sunday's performance, Brioche has a long way to go if he wants to challenge the Australian on the court.

Asked how he felt after winning the men's singles title, Horpinitch replied:

"Yes, that was the final! Anthony (Brioche) could hardly hit a ball in today (Sunday) and I wonder how he can improve when, as the number one player here, he doesn't get tough matches. I'm still not match fit and this is my first competition in five months. I hope to participate in other competitions to keep the players motivated," said Australian Horpinitch.

It is to note that Brioche won last year's men's singles title by beating Steven Rideau-Mein 2-1 (6-3 3-6 6-4) in the final.

To book their places in Sunday's final of the STA Open competition which attracted 26 male players, Brioche beat Marco Rigamonti 2-0 (6-4 6-4) while Horpinitch whitewashed André Derjacques 2-0 (6-0 6-0) in the semifinals.

The ladies' singles final again pitted the Kanté twin sisters – Fatim and Zenab – and they made life difficult for each other on court number two which had also become slippery and at times posed a risk to the players.

Female tennis player of the year Fatim, who survived a scare against Zenab in last year's final before winning 2-1 (6-7 7-5 7-5), let nothing to chances on Sunday, hitting deep baseline shots to keep Zenab in the back court.

Zenab, the lesser known of the twins, found it hard to approach the net for some powerful shots as she had to concentrate on defence and to make matters worse for her, most of her first services finished in the net.

In the end, Fatim, who pummelled young and inexperienced Stephanie Ah-Shung 2-0 (6-0 6-0) in the semifinal, celebrated victory on a 2-0 (6-4 6-2) score to retain her title.

"Zenab played well and made me work hard for my shots. But I played a more aggressive game and managed to win," said Fatim, who like Zenab turned 18 on March 15.

Nine players enrolled in the women's competition and in the other semifinal, Zenab easily dispatched Linda Samson 2-0 (6-0 6-0).

G. G.