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Tara looks for revenge as sisters clash again

Tara Lambert will be looking for redemption when she takes to the court against younger sister Jacklyn in the Argus Open women's final at the WER Joell Stadium today.

The pair are doubles partners and ranked second, but love and friendship will be thrown out the window as the older Lambert attempts to even out honours between the two, with the rivalry so far this season proving to be something of a mismatch.

Tara, 28, is currently the third ranked player in the country while little sister, Jacklyn, is second behind number one Ashley Brooks.

Having played her elder sister twice already this year, Jacklyn has come away with two titles.

The 20-year old currently holds both Bermuda Open and Pomander Gates Open titles, while Tara has had to play second fiddle, something she is hoping to rectify.

"This season we have met twice and are now preparing for match-up number three," said Tara. "So far Jacky is leading, having taken the two previous matches.

"I think for me to win this match I will need to be consistent, patient and I need to go for my shots when given the opportunity. Jacky does hit a hard and very heavy ball and I need to be prepared for anything."

Besides getting the better of her sister again, Jacklyn has another incentive after last year's shock loss to Sasha Fisher as she could move closer to Brooks at the top of the rankings.

So far this year she has been the queen of the local tennis circuit, winning every event she's entered and will be the odds-on favourite to lift another crown.

And she'd like to see more tennis fans come out to watch as the family battle continues.

"I am just hoping that there will be a lot of people coming out to watch," she said.

"This is the third time this summer that Tara and I have met in a final. I have won the last two. Don't tell her this, but I'm going to win this one as well."

The men's final will see joint number ones, Gavin Manders and Andy Bray, square off again after they defeated Jenson Bascome and David Thomas respectively.

Defending champion Manders saw off Bascome 6-2, 6-2, while Bray defeated Thomas 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 in the second semi.

The two finalists know each other well, having been team-mates in the Davis Cup side as well as butting heads four times in the last two years with Manders winning three of their encounters, including a victory this year in the Island Construction Open.

Of their latest clash, Manders said: "The difference will be in our strategies. He is more of a hard hitter and has some strokes that I probably can't hit if you look at speed.

"But if you look at strategy and implementing your game plan, I will have the upper hand when it comes to that.

"He knows my game plan and how I approach the game, so I will go out with patience. When I get my chance I will take advantage of it.

"He has bigger shots than me and can hit harder but I am more consistent, so as long as I stay patient I think I will have the upper hand.

"The last few times we have played, I have beat him in straight sets while his win went the distance.

"Our quality, both his and mine, come through in big matches and I expect nothing different this time around."

The ladies final is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. while the men's final will follow immediately after.