Fiji Defeat Papua New Guinea

The Saoirse Breen captained Fiji ladies team defeated Papua New Guinea 3-0 in their first match in Round One of the Punjas sponsored Nations Cup Pacific 2022 at Nadovu Park in Lau­toka.

Pair Lautoka based Ruby Cof­fin and Spain based Breen did not waste any time as they zeroed in on their opponents for a good start in the Punjas Nations Cup Pacific tournament.

Coffin defeated Omega Leva 6-0, 6-0, and Breen defeated Elizabeth Hyun 6-0 6-1 in the singles.

In the men’s doubles, Ruby Coffin/Josephine Debalevu defeated Eliza­beth Hyun/Omega Leva 6-3, 2-6 [10-3].

In the men’s category, Fiji fell short, to Vanuatu 1-2.

In the singles, Noah Molbaleh de­feated Krishan Raju 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 and Zachary Sands defeated Charles Cornish 7-6 (5) 7-5.

In the men’s doubles, Charles Cor­nish/Sumit Lal defeated Fintan Molbaleh/Noah Molbaleh 6-3, 7-6 (5).

Tennis Fiji president, Rajiv Singh said they were all delighted to host this year’s tournament.

“Being a pivotal hub in the Pacific has allowed us to host three inter­national junior events in the past three weeks and now we are here hosting the 2022 Pacific Nations Cup,” Singh said.

“The strong and effective lead­ership of our government who prioritizes the vaccinating of our population, enables us to be safe in turn allowing the reopening of our borders to welcome back interna­tional visitors.

“This is one of the reasons why Oceania Tennis Federation and In­ternational Tennis Federation have considered Fiji to host this year’s tournaments.”

Meanwhile, Punja and Sons have committed $25,000 towards the Na­tions Cup Pacific which also in­cludes community outreach visits and their factory tour.

The weeklong Punjas Nations Cup Pacific rounds up Saturday.

Members of the Tahiti team. Photo: Waisea Nasokia

In other results: Mens: Tahiti 3 PNG 0, Patoia Teripaia def Chris­topher Lam 6-1, 6-1, Reynald Taaroa def Israel Mera 6-1, 6-0, Reynald Taaroa/Patoia Teripaia def Israel Mera/Raynold Mojica 6-0, 6-2, Cook Islands 3 Solomon Islands 0, Ariki­toa Allsworth def Popai Leong 6-2, 6-0, Maka Maui def Junior Miki 5-7, 7-5, 6-3, Arikitoa Allsworth/Maka Maui def Clivert Vakola/Popai Leong 7-5, 6-1, Samoa 3 Northern Marianas 0, Marvin Soonalole def Bobby Cruz 6-0,6-0, Leon Soonalole def Colin Ramsey 7-5, 6-2, Marvin Soonalole/Harley Cronin def Bob­by Cruz/Colin Ramsey 6-2, 7-5.

Women: Northern Marianas 2 Vanuatu 1, Hyejin Elliot def Ma­rie Liwuslili 6-2, 5-7, 6-2, Lorraine Bainimatuku def Isbel Heras 6-4 , 7-5, Hyejin Elliot/Isabel Heras def Lorraine Bainimatuku/Marie Li­wuslili 2-6, 6-2, [10-7], Samoa 3 Ta­hiti 0, Mahina Warren def Mehetia Boosie 6-3, 6-2 , Eleanor Schuster def Leilani Brothers 6-2, 6-2, Elea­nor Schuster/Mahina Warren def Mehetia Boosie/Leilani Brothers 6-3, 6-2, Cook Islands 2 Solomon Is­lands 1, Timeri Wearing def Marion Gaotee 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, Zorika Morgan def Lillian Maui, 7-6 (3), 6-0, Lillian Maui/Timeri Wearing def Zorika Morgan/Chrisma Au 7-5, 7-6 (4).

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