Tapp wins a treble as Vallapureddy is crowned women's champion

Meanwhile, reigning champion Alex Tapp always had the favourite’s tag in the open singles at the Guernsey Senior Closed, but he went above and beyond in completing a terrific treble at the Rohais Badminton Halls.

The two headline singles finals unfolded side-by-side on Friday night and while Tapp dispatched fellow youngster David Trebert in two sets, Vallapureddy came through a lengthier battle against a stubborn Grace Edwards.

Vallapureddy’s high work rate and smart attacking abilities showed as she raced to a 3-0 lead against her 17-year-old opponent, yet she was clawed back quickly to parity.

The younger player soon got six ahead but even that meant little against Island Games girl Edwards, who bounced back again.

From 18-all, Vallapureddy suffered from several errors as her resilient rival snatched the set 21-19.

The second set ran very differently, with Vallapureddy particularly capitalising on her tricky net shots to lead 18-3 and, after some struggles to get over the line, still win 21-9.

The decisive third set proved super close into the double digits, but a driven Vallapureddy then got on a roll of points to triumph 21-14.

‘I’m really happy about it,’ the first-time champion said after going one better than last year’s runner-up placing to Emily Trebert.

‘It’s a result of lots of hard work and lots of support. I’m proud of myself.

‘I was having dreams about it last night. It was a tough game and Grace is a really exceptional player, so I was having worries.

‘It’s all in my head ... I am really glad with how it turned out.

‘Thanks to my coach, my dad, and those giving so much support.’

Tapp never looked in doubt against fellow Games man Trebert in a dynamic final featuring several impressive rallies.

Having learned from an early group match, the reigning champion and favourite played the long game but took his opportunities when he could.

He sped to an 8-2 lead, and though his advantage ebbed and flowed from there against a deft opponent, he won the first set 21-13.

After a similarly strong start in the second, he ended up being closed down and held around four before coming through two riveting rallies at the end and prevailing 21-15 with a decisive smash.

‘I’m absolutely buzzing,’ Tapp said.

‘Singles was the one I wanted to win the most. I’d won doubles twice in a row and having won the singles for the first time last year, it’s always nice to come back and be able to do it back-to-back.’

He also reflected on the relatively new position of being billed as favourite.

‘Obviously, there’s a lot of expectation when you come in and you’re trying to defend the title, because everyone’s always got their eyes on you and people are always talking.

‘But I’m always confident in my own ability to be able to win.’

In credit to Trebert, against whom he has grown up playing against and with, he added: ‘It’s a great testament to us both, how we’ve come through the ranks together and been able to maintain that level together.’

Trebert also managed to make two other doubles finals – with and against Tapp.

As allies, Tapp and Trebert triumphed 21-13, 21-13 in the open doubles final against Jack Dowinton and Jonny Holmes.

Tapp completed his treble through joining Games player Carys Batiste to beat two Treberts – David and older sister Emily – 21-16, 21-16 in the conclusion to an intriguing and wide-open mixed doubles.

Emily Trebert and Batiste had joined forces effectively in the women’s doubles, where they battled past top seeds Charlotte Barnes and Maxine Fitzgerald 21-10, 17-21, 21-16.