The Team Fiji women’s tennis team created history when they won their first silver medal at the Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games in Saipan on Saturday night.

The Fijians lost 2-0 to Papua New Guinea in the team’s final. PNG became the first country to win gold at the Mini Games.

The Fijian team of Saoirse Breen and Ruby Coffin put on a courageous fight against the experienced PNG pair of Violet Apisah and Abigail Tere-Apisah.

Breen lost to Apisah 6-2, 6-1 while Coffin went down to Tere-Apisah 6-0, 6-0.

In the semifinals, Fiji beat Tonga 2-1.

The men’s team of William O’Connell and Sebastian Tikaran lost to the host nation 2-1 in the semifinal before going down again to Tahiti 2-0 in the bronze playoffs.

Niubalavu confident despite loss

Meanwhile, the Team Fiji baseball side lost 13-3 to Guam in their opening game and takes on the host nation in their second game.

Team Fiji baseball team is visted by FASANOC president Makarita Lenoa (wearing mask) during the Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games in Saipan on June 18, 2022. Photo: FASANOC

Baseball coach Inoke Niubalavu said after 10 years they are returning to the Pacific Games.

“We last played at the 2011 Games in New Caledonia,” he said.

“Developing youth players are among the 10 debutants who will be competing for Fiji.

“They are playing alongside four experienced players. As the Fiji Baseball development programme continues to grow I am confident that the future looks bright for us.”

Niubalavu said the result against Guam was expected.

“We lost 13 runs to three. A huge learning experience which will pave the team’s mental approach towards the next game.

“We’re trusting the process and will continue to believe.”

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