This highly popular women’s international tennis event returns to the Tarka Tennis Centre, Barnstaple from Monday 1 to Sunday 7 September.
The Aegon GB Pro-Series Barnstaple is an ITF Pro Circuit women’s $25k event, and the venue has previously seen a number of high profile players in action, including top British players such as Heather Watson, Laura Robson and Johanna Konta. All the world’s top players sharpened their professional careers at this level, and this year sees another strong line-up.
The highest ranked entry is Swedish number 2 Sofia Arvidsson, who returns to Barnstaple having reached the semi-final back in 2009. The 30 year old from Halmstad, has been world ranked as high as 29, and to date won 20 career singles pro titles, including 5 in Great Britain.
Fast rising German teenager Carina Witthoeft will arrive in North Devon as one of the favourites for the title, having won a $25k title in Hechingen earlier this month. Reaching a career high of 161 in July, the 19 year old has reached the last 16 of the Australian Open this year, building on a similar performance at Wimbledon 2013.
Indy De Vroome, another exciting teenager from overseas, will be making her first appearance in Barnstaple. The Dutch number 4, is still only 18, but recently climbed inside the world top 200, having captured a $25k title in Mexico in March.
Leading the British interest is GB number 5, Tara Moore who reached the last 16 in 2013, losing to fellow Brit Jo Konta, whilst new British number 7, Katy Dunne will also be looking to make an impact. 19 year old Dunne, from Hemel Hempstead, has made a meteoric rise up the rankings, climbing over 400 places since the start of the year. 2014 has seen her qualify for her first WTA Tour event on grass at Edgbaston, plus capture a $15k singles title in Imola, Italy last month.
Richard Joyner, Tournament Director, says ‘This is my second year in Barnstaple, and the atmosphere at last year’s event was fantastic. Everyone is so pro-active in their support of the event, which together with the facilities make it such a great week for the player’s and everyone involved. 2014 has seen a date change from November, but the strength of the entry list promises some great tennis on show throughout the week.’
Women’s qualifying for the Aegon GB Pro-Series Barnstaple is Monday 1 & Tuesday 2 September, with main draw Wednesday 3 September to Sunday 7 September. The women’s singles and doubles final are both scheduled for Sunday 7 September, with first final scheduled for 1.00pm.
Entry for spectators is free of charge for the qualifying event, whilst for main draw ticket information please contact the Tarka Tennis Centre direct or go to www.tarkatennis.net
As well as coming along to watch, you can also watch the action through live streaming, and follow the scores through live scoring on http://www.lta.org.uk/fans-major-events/AEGON-GB-Pro-Series/Calendar1/Barnstaple/
Whilst the updated entry list can be found at http://www.itftennis.com/procircuit/tournaments/women's-tournament/info.aspx?tournamentid=1100032791