Bray is taking nothing for granted
Bray, the 30-year-old English accountant with the big-serve and the searing forehand, has once again not dropped a set in reaching the semi-finals of the last major local tournament of the year and will play gangly Bermuda Davis Cup member David Thomas tonight to decide who progresses to Saturday’s final at the Whaler Inn courts.
The other men’s semi-final scheduled for today is the highly-anticipated clash between number two seed Michael Way and Jacob Trott.
With neither Way, Trott or Thomas having caused Bray any significant problems so far this season, it would be easy to assume that the Island’s number one would be openly confident about his chances of clinching the Grand Slam.
But the BLTA Open, Island Construction Open and Argus Open champion proved guarded yesterday, rejecting any suggestion that it was all-but sewn up.
“There’s a long way to go yet and the worst thing I can do at this stage is become complacent — that, as they say, is a recipe for disaster,” he said.
“Michael Way is probably the most talented ball striker on the Island and on his day is a match for anyone, while David (Thomas) is a big-hitter as well and can be a dangerous player at times. So I’m not looking past my match against David Thomas to be honest.”
Though he has struggled with one or two little injury niggles in the past couple of tournaments, one of which forced him to wear a cumbersome knee brace, at present Bray said he is carrying no injuries and feeling “pretty fresh” after a straightforward path to the semis — an ominous sign for his nearest rivals.
Asked whether winning the local Grand Slam would represent one of his biggest sporting achievements, Bray admitted he was excited at the prospect and hopes to share the proud moment with his girlfriend and “number one fan” Susie Mills on Saturday morning.
“Obviously it would be something to be proud of but I’m trying not to get ahead of myself,” he said.
“But I’m feeling pretty fit and sharp at the moment — I haven’t been doing all that much exercise but I’m naturally quite a fit individual which has stood me in good stead this week.”
Meanwhile, Brooks will meet Veronica Dunkerley in the second women’s semi-final this evening at 5.15 p.m., with the winner set to play another talented Briton, Leonie MacLoughlin, in the final after MacLoughlin beat Elizabeth Hartley convincingly 6-0, 6-2 on Tuesday.
