Top Cheshire Juniors shine at the Babolat Masters Cup UK
Three Cheshire players had qualified to play in this special 12 & Under event at Edgbaston Club, Birmingham, in which only County Champions and winners of selected Grade 3 tournaments qualified. Our Cheshire champions Rhona Cook and Tom Owen played, as well as Robin Bloomer who had won one of the qualifying tournaments.
Rhona, Robin and Tom all won their 1st round matches. Tom had a confidence building 6 – 0, 6 – 4 victory; however, both Rhona and Robin had to battle through very close matches. Rhona’s final score was 3 – 6, 6 – 2, 10 – 6, and Robin also showed his resilience winning 6 – 2, 1 – 6, 10 – 4. These wins took them all through to the quarter finals. For Cheshire to have three players in the last 8 was a great achievement.
Unfortunately Robin came up against an in form 3rd seed, and couldn’t manage to repeat his first round success. Tom continued to play consistently well, and he secured a place in the semi final with another fine win, this time 6 – 3, 6 – 1. Rhona on the other hand had another really tough match, and to her credit she again came out on top in two very close sets 7 – 5, 7 – 6(3) to also reach the semi final.
Tom made light work of his Yorkshire opponent who had previously defeated the number 2 seed, and he cruised into the final by virtue of a convincing 6 – 3, 6 -1 victory. Rhona played in yet another marathon match, and this time unfortunately lost in two very well contested sets 6 – 7(5), 3 – 6. Her opponent went onto win the final.
Tom had reached the final without dropping a set, and in the final he put his lefty forehand to good use, and ultimately proved too strong for his opponent and number 3 seed from Hampshire 6 – 4, 6 – 4. Many congratulations to Tom on becoming the Babolat Cup UK Champion. In addition to receiving a trophy, Tom has also been rewarded with an invitation to attend the French Open Championships at Roland Garros next year as guests of Babolat, as well a years’ contract with Babolat for rackets, tennis clothes and footwear. Well done Tom, a great result with fantastic rewards!
John Hilton
Competitions & Tournaments