Alan Clyne is through to the Men’s Singles quarter-finals after a hard-fought win over Australian Rex Hedrick at Oxenford Studios.
Clyne took the first game 11-7 against the backdrop of a partisan crowd backing the home favourite. The second and third games followed suit, with Alan rounding off a 3-0 win to move into the quarter-finals where he’ll take on Welshman Joel Makin at 18:45hrs (09:45hrs UK Time) on Saturday 7 April.
Speaking after the match Alan said: “The first game was important. On these courts it’s quite bouncy so it’s hard to kill the ball. Rex had two matches yesterday and the first was really tough, so I knew there would be something in his legs, and that I had to make that first game long, which I did. Even though the second and third were just as tough that certainly took a bit out of him.
“Being the home favourite you don’t want to give him anything to go on, so I tried to stay on top from the start. Now it’s on to the quarter-finals. I’ve never been in this position before, but I’ve been in the doubles and I’m playing Joel who I’ve had many battles with. They are usually tight matches, and I’m sure it’ll be another one tomorrow.”
Earlier in the day, Kevin Moran progressed to the quarter-final of the Men’s Singles Classic Plate after a 3-1 win over Pakistan’s Farhan Zaman. Kevin was drawn against Ernest Jombla of Sierra Leone and made quick work of it; progressing to the next round with a 3-0 victory in just 17 minutes.
Speaking after the match Kevin said: “The plate competition is something I got to the final of at the last Commonwealth Games. I came into today’s match with no pressure – he’s seeded higher than me and I think that played towards my performance.”
“I can’t wait for the mixed doubles. Lisa and I are itching to get on court and really go after the teams we have in our group. It’s a great atmosphere here, even out on the back courts, so I can’t wait to get going. Even playing singles here I have one eye on the doubles.”
In the other Men’s Singles round of 16 match, Greg Lobban narrowly lost 3-1 to England’s Daryl Selby. He’ll now look forward to competing in the Men’s Doubles alongside Clyne on Tuesday.