Perfect start for Basir Koh and Teddy Cheong at tennis age-group championships

Story by REDintern Ivan Ong. Photos by REDintern Derek Quah

Kallang Tennis Centre, Monday, June 14, 2010 — Singapore’s Basir Koh and Teddy Cheong romped to victory over compatriots Vincent Li and Ethan Lee in the opening round of the Singapore Tennis Association-Sports Excellence (STA-SPEX) 2nd Age Group Tennis Championships. The top-seeded duo hardly broke a sweat as they won in straight sets (6-0, 6-0).

Basir and Teddy drew first blood, with Teddy recording an ace en-route to serving out a perfect first game to pull ahead 1-0. The duo kept up the momentum in the second set, scoring a service break on Vincent and Ethan’s opening game. Vincent and Ethan were visibly shaken by their abysmal start, as they conceded several double faults and a handful of unforced errors. They were broken twice more, ending the very one sided set 6-0.

Things seemed more promising for Vincent and Ethan as the second set went underway. Vincent had the crowd in raptures when he ended a baseline rally with a spectacular backhand, earning a break point along the way. However, the duo were unable to convert on the break, and found themselves trailing 1-0 once again.

With Basir and Teddy up 3-0, the pair failed to capitalise on their triple game point, allowed Vincent and Ethan to force a deuce at 40-40. However, lady luck smiled upon the favourites once again as Basir and Teddy managed to take the game. Teddy capped a convincing victory after sealing the match with an unstoppable smash at set point.