Mack new badminton Queen

She finally conquered her national doubles partner and local "Queen of the Shuttlecock" Sabrina Cassie 3-11, 13-11, 11-3 in an absorbing and hard-fought three-setter, which marked the end of the Trinidad and Tobago Badminton Association Open Invitation tournament at the Central Regional Indoor Sports Arena (CRISA) on Wednesday night.

Conjuring up all 17 years of her badminton experience coupled with steely determination to turn a new chapter in her shuttlecock career, the 28-year-old Mack turned back the aggressive and highly motivated Cassie in the fiercely contested ladies final, which lasted 47 minutes.

It was a match full of power smashes, skilfully guided drop shots and delicate lobs, which brought out the best of the country’s two leading women players in the battle for supremacy. Mack prevailed after conceding the first game at 3-11 after 27-service rallies.

She won the second game after a marathon 72 service rallies and giving Cassie an early 1-5 advantage.

Mack levelled at eight, and what followed was a see-saw tussle, with the scores tied at 10-10 then 10-11 to Mack, before she took the set 13-11 to force the decider.

After 14 service rallies, it was 3-3 but Mack redoubled her efforts and dominated with positional placements, round head smashes and cross-court drops shots which found their mark with unerring accuracy, much to the delight of the small but ardent supporters as she romped home and created history by winning the third game and match at 11-3.

Her mixed doubles partner and reigning national men’s champion Anil Seepaul must have provided her with the inspiration as he fought off numbing pain on his left lower back to defeat youthful star Kerwyn Pantin in the men’s final which preceded the women’s match.

Three-time champion See-paul, ignored Dr Terry Ali’s advice not to play in the tournament because of the nagging back pain which requires an MRI scan to be done on Thursday, and fought bravely to keep his reputation as the nation’s number one male player image intact. It was an heroic performance by Seepaul who found Pantin much more than a handful and an equally gutsy opponent before he won in a keenly contested three-setter.

Having taken the first set at 15-10, Seepaul trailed 19-year-old Pantin 0-9 before conceding the second at 2-15.

After 20 service rallies and the score even at 4-4, Seepaul lifted his play to a higher level and showed that he is still the "King" with an easy 15-5 victory.

Seepaul and Mack combined to defeat national mixed doubles champion Ronald Clarke and Cassie 11-7, 7-11 and 11-3.

And to prove his worth and bravery, Seepaul teamed up with Ronald Clarke to overpower the experienced former champions tandem of Daron Dasent and David Lee Kim 16-17, 15-3 and 15-7.

And to crown an historic night of senior competition, Mack and her reigning national doubles partner Cassie overcame the rising pair of Stephanie Mitchell and Nadine Julien at 11-9, 11-13 and 11-1.

Results: Men’s Singles (final) - Anil Seepaul defeated Kerwyn Pantin 15-10, 2-15 and 15-5.

Women’s Singles (final) - Zeudi Mack defeated Sabrina Cassie 3-11, 13-11 and 11-3.

Men’s Doubles (final) - Anil Seepaul and Ronald Clarke defeated Daron Dasent and David Lee Kim 16-17, 15-3 and 15-7.

Mixed Doubles (final) - Anil Seepaul and Zeudi Mack defeated Ronald Clarke and Sabrina Cassie 11-7, 7-11 and 11-3.

Women’s Doubles (Final): Zeudi Mack and Sabrina Cassie defeated Stephanie Mitchell and Nadine Julien 11-9, 11-13 and 11-1.