Rachel Smith retained her Queen of the South Road tennis crown in a thrilling three-set final against Maudlyn Blunt on Sunday at the old Town and Country Planning Building, The Garrison.
Smith, who had predicted a showdown with Blunt ahead of the tournament, dropped the first set 16-21 but showed remarkable composure to bounce back, winning the second 21-16. In a tense decider, both players battled fiercely for the $1 500 top prize, but it was Smith who held her nerve to edge Blunt 21-18. Blunt earned $1 000 for her runner-up finish.
Displaying newfound calm and grit, Smith overcame early deficits in both the second and third sets to overcome her impressive rival. The victory marks her triumph in the third edition of the tournament, solidifying her status as one of the island’s top competitors.
In the third-place playoff, Cherene Ward outlasted Galeann Scott in another three-set battle, 9-21, 21-10, 21-18, securing the final podium spot.
