Gerrards Cross LTC Junior and Senior Open Tournament LTA Grade 3 August 11th to 16th 2014
The 35th Annual Tournament was a great success with all players enjoying their tennis and benefitting from extra matches on the 17 courts at Bull Lane plus courts at Gayhurst School and Chalfont St Peter Tennis Club. Players aged from 6 to 35 years old competed over six days in various singles and doubles events. The standard of play was astonishing in many of the events particularly the boys under 16 where many players were rated 3.2 or above with top seed Alex Juniper 2.2 from Kent beat Julian Goodger rated 3.1 from Surrey 7-6 6-4 in a hard-hitting encounter.
Hannah Brett from Wokingham, who celebrated her 17th Birthday during the week, beat last years’ triple winning Holly Horsfall 7-5 6-1 in the under 18 final on Wednesday and beating Ana Popescu from Chesham in the Ladies final in the last match of the tournament on Saturday 7-5 6-3. Andrew Atkinson 18, part of the Thongsbridge Club team from Yorkshire repeated Hannah’s success just overcoming Toby Nicholson 18, from Hertfordshire 3-6 6-1 10-8 in a two hour match full of attacking play from both players including big serves and good use of serve / volleying tactic. Andrew followed up with Mens’ singles victory on Saturday beating Oliver Bickley from Essex 6-2 6-3. Andrew won TWO further events the Mens’ doubles with team mate and doubles specialist Ed Lovatt 6-0 3-6 10-3 against Costa Sevic (Burnham) and Matt Taylor. He then teamed up with sister Kim to win the mixed doubles.
Tennace at Gerrards Cross LTC players competed extremely well in the younger age groups. Ella Carby (8 Chalfont St Peter) fought brilliantly in the under 8 competition reaching the final before losing to Jessica Longjohn (8, Swindon) 10-7 in the final full of long rallies. Seb Mellow (8, Gerrards Cross) won his group of the under 8 competition then defeated Alex Groom from Chesham in the semi-final with some huge serving. However Anthony Longjohn (8, Swindon) proved too consistent and accurate with his shots in the final; Seb losing 10-7. Benji Orr-Ewing (5!) was runner up in the main draw consolation. Zac Orr-Ewing (8, Gerrards Cross) fought his way through to the semi-final of the under 9 with great wins against Demetri Alexanders (O1*, Windsor) and Arda Dramili (O1* Maidenhead). Also joining him in the semi-final were club team-mates Jacob Mellows (9, Gerrards Cross) despite a big fright against Max Struthers (Halton) 3-7 9-7 7-5 in the quarter finals, and Charlie Goutkin-Smith (9, Gerrards Cross) who also had very tight match against Tom Silvestor-Ratcliffe (Caversham) 12-10 3-7 7-4. DJ Mentiply from Aylesbury was top seed and beat Zac 7-1 2-7 7-4 in the semi after a brave fight-back in the second set. Jacob defeated Charlie in the other semi. DJ was 7-5 6-4 up against Jacob who then fought back to 8-7 up before missing a volley on top of the net; DJ then aced Jacob at 9-8 to become champion ! Francesca Davis (9, Maidenhead) impressively won the girls under 9 against her doubles partner Catherine Cowper (also Maidenhead).
Barney Fitzpatrick (12, Thongsbridge) as top seed reached the u12 final but found himself 6-4 4-1 down to Louis Quaynor (12, Finchley Manor). Barney changed the pace of his shots and Louis seeing the finish line started to tighten up and make errors. Barney eventually won second set and after great emotion he won the match tie-break 10-6. Barney had been convincingly beaten in the under 14 final by Matthew Carroll (14, Potters Bar) on Wednesday.
Erika Dodridge (12 Halton) ran down every ball to win the u14 girls singles beating Phoebe Watton (14, Kent) 4-6 6-3 10-3.
The Tournament was organised and Refereed by Andy Scholfield with assistant referees Conor McHale and Charlotte Thistle. Prizes were awarded in all events including gift vouchers bought from GX Tescos.
The tennace Autumn Term Courses for all ages and standards start early September; for more information and sign up see www.tennace.com
The next junior competition is the one day Tennace tournaments on 30th and 31st August.
The next adult event is the ITF International Veterans Competition 3rd to 6th September, for all young adults aged 40 to 80 years old (singles and doubles) call 07875604872 for more information.