Sam Butler defeated Gavin Manders in a long, hard-fought final at Pomander Gate Tennis Club, dethroning the former champion to win his maiden Deloitte Open title.

Butler, who won 7-5, 6-3, in what amounted to a nearly three-hour battle, also claimed victory in the men’s doubles with David Thomas after Manders picked up an untimely injury which prevented him from suiting up for the final and allowed the pair to win by walkover.

“I always enjoy the tournament at Pomander and this year went into it feeling confident as I had been training hard for Island Games,” said 34-year-old Butler. “The singles final was a real grind. Gavin will always make a lot of balls, so I had to stay patient and force the points when I had the opportunity”.

On the women’s side of the tournament, Bermuda No 1 Cayla Cross solidified her place atop the rankings with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Shelby Medeiros.

On her title, Cross said, “Deloitte Open is a special tournament for me mainly because I love the facility Pomander Gate. Ever since I was younger, I would get excited knowing that along with winning the trophy, my name would be on the wall.”

In a tournament that saw an increase in female participants Cross expressed that she was, “excited to see more women enter the open singles and it was nice to see the old heads getting back involved”.

In what proved to be an exciting final against a younger opponent who is honing her skills abroad, Cross continued, “Knowing that Shelby has been in the tennis academy this year putting in work, I was a bit concerned for my fitness, but I’m happy I held my composure and got the result I wanted.”

John Johnston, chief executive officer of Deloitte Bermuda and Caribbean region, said: “Deloitte has sponsored the Deloitte Tennis Open for the past six years and I’m pleased to see that event participation continues to grow.”

In the Men’s B final Tego Bean beat Evan Heyliger 6-2, 6-3, while Heyliger was able to exact some revenge on his singles opponent in the Open B Doubles final winning with partner Quinton Burgess against Bean and Rickai Burrows 4-6, 6-4, 10-6.

In the Women’s B final, Morgan Lightbourne defeated up-and-comer Asia-Leigh Hollis 6-1, 6-2.

John Johnston was victorious in the Men’s Senior Singles competition, while brothers Earl and Erwin Leader proved too strong for their counterparts running away with the Men’s Senior Doubles.

Kietny Chrun was the standout in the Women’s Senior Singles category and Jovan Jordan-Whitter and Jacklyn Lambert defeated Manders and Cross in the Mixed Doubles final 6-4, 6-3.