06 Mar Latest update from Irish team at Wheelchair World Team Cup
Wheelchair World Team Cup Qualification Event – Antalya , Turkey
Ireland 1 v 2 Turkey
Gerry Milligan beat Anto Cakmak 6-4 0-1 rtd
Ivor Jess lost Ismail Canturk 6-3 6-4
Ivor Jess/Gerry Milligan lost Turan Akalin/ Ismail Canturk 6-3 6-2
In the second match, Ireland’s Ivor Jess took on Ismail Canturk for the 2nd time in the competition. The Turk had been a comfortable winner on Day 2 of the event but Ivor was determined to do better this time. The first set was close until 3-3 when the Turk managed to win a game against the wind and then won the next two with it to take the first set 6-3 . Ivor came out of the block well in the 2nd set taking a 2-1 lead and maintained this edge until 4-3. At 4-3 he had 3 break points narrowly missing a forehand pass by a whisker. At 4-4 Ivor once again had 2 more game points which he couldn’t convert and then found himself 5-4 40-0 down. However Ivor fought back saved 4 match points but finally couldn’t save the 5th and lost 6-3 6-4.
In the deciding doubles the Turks were able to bring a fresh player and this proved decisive as the Irish pair fought valiantly but ran out of steam losing 6-3 6-2 and finishing the qualifying event 8th.