Rick Hunt defeated some talented challengers to win the Don De Nevi Challenger Series Tennis Tournament.
Newcomer Troy Smith faced veteran Raymond Bodine for a spot in the semi-finals. Smith dropped the first set (9-7) but settled in and played some quality points in the Labor Day weekend event. Smith shook off the nerves and went to work. He won the next two sets (7-1, 7-3), giving Bodine no chance to advance.
“I’m just happy to have made it to the semifinals in my first tournament,” Smith said after the win.
Next Smith faced Hunt, the champion from the last tournament during the Fourth of July weekend. Hunt exploited a few holes in Smith’s game and eliminated him in straight sets.
The finals matched up Paul Oliver, who defeated Terry Slaughter to advance, against Hunt. Hunt managed to beat Oliver in straight sets, winning 7-4 and 7-2 to maintain his status as the champion.
David Archer, another newcomer who played in the first match, squared off against two-time champion Paul Alleyne. Alleyne dominated Archer in straight sets, allowing his opponent to score two points in the second set.
In the second match, Slaughter upset the hard-hitting Al Lee to play against Oliver.
“I am happy to see the new players participating in our tournament and to see Troy Smith taking his game to the next level,” said Ronnie Mohamed, captain of the San Quentin Inside Tennis Team.
