Tuvalu spring huge upset in men’s doubles tennis semi-finals

The Sol2023 Pacific Games tennis doubles competition on Tuesday witnessed some significant shocks, surprises and upsets in both the men’s and women’s competitions leading up to this week’s finals.

The second men’s doubles semi-final between Tuvalu and New Caledonia produced the biggest shock of the event by far.

With support from the Tuvaluan community in Honiara cheering them on, Tuvalu’s Haleti Faolaina Tepa and Ofati Maka Foster defeated New Caledonia’s Heremana Courte and Nell Rollin in straight sets.

The ecstatic pair told the Pacific Games News Service after the match: “We are just so very happy to progress to the finals and get a medal for Tuvalu. The massive support we received from our family and supporters here was indeed the driving force behind us getting the victory today”.

The women’s doubles semi-final one saw Samoa beat Tahiti in straight sets.

Women’s doubles top seed, Annerly Georgopoulus and Eleanor Schuster convincingly defeated Mehetia Boosie and Tavera Chung (6-2, 6-2).

Semi-final two saw hometown favorites Zorika Morgan and Georgimah Row beat Fijian opponents Ruby Coffin and Tarani Kamoe in straight sets (6-1, 7-5).

The tennis finals will be on Thursday at the National Tennis Centre.

By Donaldson Saepioh, Pacific Games News Service