Fiji’s top seed and United Kingdom-based William O’Connell braved the heat to win over New Caledonia’s Icham Tidjine in two straight sets at the Denarau Golf and Racquet Club yesterday.

The 25-year-old won 6-3 6-2 in the Men Open Singles and will advance to the next level of competition of the 2018 Fiji Tatslotto Open Tennis Championship.

“It was a tough match but I played well. My young opponent definitely pushed me to play harder. I had to play well to win,” O’Connell said.

Tidjine, 15, said the match was tough.

“William is a really good player and I can’t really play my game,”he said.

Defending champion in the Open Men grade Gilles De Gouy of Tahiti beat New Caledonia’s Joakim Hmana (6-1, 6-2).

“It was a solid match for me because I had many good first serves. I tried to be aggressive on the return serve and luckily it worked today,” the 46-year-old said.

Fiji’s Mulan Kamoe defeated Crystal Christman of Samoa.

“This first match was easy for me and I was playing it easy. But I know this tournament will be tougher than last year,” the 18-year-old said.

Top third seed Yaelle Honekoko of New Caledonia won comfortably over Elena Sise of American Samoa (6-0 6-0).

The 2018 Fiji Open is sponsored by Fiji Tatslotto in association with Fiji National Sports Commission, Sports World, Aquasafe, Denarau Golf and Raquet Club and Punjas.

Edited by Osea Bola

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