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Players aged from 6 to 10 years from Devon & Cornwall competed all winter chasing the top places on the Flybe Mini Masters leaderboard to reach the Grand Finals and the chance of being crowned Flybe Mini Masters Champion!
In the 8 & Under red ball event it was great to see the girls well represented with 5 out of the 13 finalists.
After many close matches in the box rounds, the semi-finals were contested by Max Daniels (TennisMAD) versus Archie Mallett (Heron Tennis Centre) and Maya Ichim (Virgin Active Devonshire) versus Evan Morris (Torquay TC). Both matches were nail-biters but finally, with both finishing 12-10, Max and Evan came through to meet in the final. Max kept focus and despite some great play from Evan, Max won the match to become the 8 & Under Champion.
6 players, 8 from each County, took part in the 9 & Under orange ball event.
With many 3 set matches the box rounds finally resulted in the semi-finalists being Harry Melville (Truro LTC) versus Finley Hill (Exeter Tennis Centre) and Will Stirling (Penzance TC) and Sebastian Linnitt (Teignmouth TC). In a tight, seesawing match, Harry came out the eventual winner 7-3, 4-7, 8-6. Sebastian put up a great battle against Will in the last set but Will took the match 7-4, 8-6. So on to an all Cornish final in which Harry was the eventual winner and Flybe Mini Masters 9 & Under Champion.
A special mention for Ellie Boase (Penzance TC), the only girl in the 9 & Under event who held her own against the 15 boys!
With a mix of experienced Flybe finalists and first-timers in this age group, the 10 & Under green ball event had some of both Counties’ strongest players taking part so anticipation was for some excellent tennis which was certainly delivered.
Winning all their matches in the box round, the finalists were Ben Johnson and Lucas Urquiza, both players from Exmouth Tennis & Fitness Centre. Ben proved just too strong for Lucas on this occasion and deservedly took his first ever Flybe Mini Masters title.
Over 230 children took part in the Flybe Mini Masters Circuit this season and Flybe’s support has given these youngsters from throughout Devon and Cornwall the opportunity to develop their competitive skills and perhaps to take their first steps to becoming a future tennis star.Trophies and prizes were presented by Sue Eames, Cornwall LTA Chairperson who expressed Devon and Cornwall LTAs’ gratitude for Flybe’s support which has enabled so many young players to experience competition in a friendly environment, make new friends and be enthused by the sport.
This Final marks the 6th year of Flybe’s support for under 10 tennis in Devon & Cornwall and it is great to see that so many players on the Flybe Mini Masters Roll of Honour are still in the game and doing really well.