Local Krishneel Kumar will face number one seed Gilles De Gouy of New Caledonia during round two  of the Open men’s singles today. – 110th Fiji Tattslotto Open Tennis Championship at the Denarau Golf and Racquet today.

This is after Kumar he proved too strong for teammate Caleb Wivou 6-4, 6-2 during their opening match of the 110th Fiji Tattslotto Open Tennis Championship at the Denarau Golf and Racquet Club in Nadi yesterday.

De Gouy, a former Davis Cup captain and Pacific Oceania top marksman, has been in to shape.

Other Fijians on track are Sumit Lal who beat Aaron Bosse (5-7, 6-3, 6-1), Kishan Raju beat Pavel Klodowski (6-1, 6-1), and Sebastian Tikaram beat Josefa Wivou (6-2, 6-7 (4), 6-2.

Former Fijian coach Rob Krause has made a return to the event after many years and is representing Fiji.

Tongan’s Matarao Fanguna will face stiff competition from American Samoa, Australia and New Zealand players.

Tennis Fiji president Richard Breen said they a record 150 participants will be playing in 35 events over the five days.

“We have quite a few strong players that are playing,” he said.

“We are very happy this year as  we have a professional player Steffie Carruthers, (Samoa). I think she has about 600 games and she is our No.1 seed.

Tough competition is expected in the women’s competition with Fiji’s No.2 Mulan Kamoe and Silema Taufa (Tonga) who represented her country in the Pacific Games in Port Moresby.

“Fiji is such a beautiful country and it is fantastic for us to hold such an international event and the weather is marvellous. We are hoping for a successful event for the next few days as well.

“The local participants are also fighting for a spot in the Pacific Mini Games as well. Iit’s definitely been amazing just watching them warm up.”

Breen thanked sponsors – major partners Fiji Tattslotto, Tennis Fiji, Premier partners – Denarau Golf and Racquet Club, Fijian National Sports Commission, The Rhum-Ba.

The event is also supported by Tourism Fiji, Jacks of Fiji, Vodafone Fiji, Spa Academy Fiji, Punjas, Beachcomber Fiji Group of Resorts, and Sportsworld.

What’s on Today:

Open Mens Singles

1.Gilles De Gouy vs Krishneel Kumar, 2 . Nikhil Kavindra vs Raynal Singh, 3.Matarao Fanguna vs Wataru Hamaguchi, 4. Camron Brugh vs Tito Bira, 5. Larry Magalasin vs Sumit Lal, 6.

Semisi Fanguna vs Krishan Raju, 7. -Junior Benjamin- Sebastian Tikaram, 8.-Kristen Pavitt vs Rob Krause.

Open Women:

1.Steffie Carruthers – Ruby Coffin, 2.Kandra Paea – Saoirse Breen, 3. Kulan Kamoe – Vinda Teally, 4. Silema Taufa – Georgemiah Row/Craigie McCulloc.