August the 9th to the 14th saw the first Truro Tennis Club Grade 3 Open. For the first time Truro Tennis Club used Boscawen Park tennis courts as a satellite venue to host the mini tennis tournament, the morning saw the under 9’s (Orange Ball) playing, and spectators saw some the countries youngest talent show their skills on the court, the final being played between Cornwall’s very own Elliott Riley and Freddie James of Devon the eventual winner being Freddie James 10-7, 10-7.
During the afternoon at the park the youngest of the competitors, Under 8’s (Red Ball) treated everyone to even more spectacular performances from children as young as 5. The final saw a close and exciting match between Cornwall’s, Daniel Hocking and Matthew Turner of Devon, Matthew being the eventual winner 1-0(7).
The other mini event, Under 10’s (Green Ball) was held at Truro Tennis Club, fantastic matches all round with strong performances from all players and it was a delight to see some of the top performing youngsters in this age group playing here in Cornwall. The boys event culminated in an exciting final between Devon’s Reece Allen and Cornwall’s Oshi Leverton, both boys gave their all and proved why they are both picked for greater things in the future with an outstanding win by Oshi Leverton 4-1, 3-5, 1-0(2) in the tie break.
The girls under 10 was an all Cornish event with Ellie White from Truro Club winning 4-1, 5-3. Paul Taylor, Chairman of Truro Tennis Club sponsored the mini events and was thrilled with the talent and level of play from all competitors.
Truro Tennis club was the base for the rest of the week with nearly 170 competitors and over 250 events being played, many young stars from across the Country and many within the top 50 nationally. Winner of the Tony Pryce Sports under 12 boys was Erik Wilson from Devon beating Julian Robinson of Middlesex 6-1, 6-2, the Tony Pryce Sports Under 12’s Girls was won by Amy Johns of Cornwall Who beat Ellie Yuill 6-0, 6-1.
In the Lillicrap Chillcott Under 14’s events, the winner of the girls singles was Truro’s Athena Chrysanthou who beat the number 1 seed from Devon, Isabella Brown 6-3, 6-2. Boys singles was won by Joel Jones of Cornwall who beat the number 1 seed Ben Ward to gain a place in the final against the Number 2 seeded player Chris Clayton from Avon, Joel kept his great performance and won the final 6-3, 6-2.
In the Doubles the Girls event was won by Athena Chrysathou and Lola Randles, and the boys was won by Joel Jones and James Wood.
Under 16 events were well entered and again Cornish youngsters shone through with the talented Reece Munnery from Cornwall winning his final against Avon’s Julian Page 6-4,6-4. In the girls Cornwall’s Lauren Norton who entered unseeded knocked out the number 1 seed to eventually reach the final and beat the number 2 seed Sam Kenshole from Devon 6-1, 6-0.
In the Truro and Penwith College under 18 events. Daniel Elston from Cornwall proved once again why he is 13 nationally, winning his final against Henry Ogden from Avon 6-7, 6-2, 6-2. Where in the girls singles Samantha Kenshole won and in the boys doubles it was victory again for Dan Elston playing with Toby Mitchell a fellow training partner from Team Bath.
In the senior event it was again a Cornish feast all-round with Roy Knight beating Henry Ogden 6-3, 7-5 to win the men’s title and Clair Tresidder won the ladies event 6-2, 6-2 against Truro’s Dory Crellin. The mixed was won by Head Coach from Truro, Ryan Fern with fellow coach Kate Flavelle 6-4, 6-3 against Dory Crellin and Richard Ellis.
Truro Lawn Tennis club would like to thank all their sponsors, Tony Pryce Sports and Nick and his staff, Lillicrap and Chillcott, Truro and Penwith College and Jean Mooney who came to present the trophies as well as Watson Marlow and Tony Herring who sponsored the overall event and to Amanda Hensman of Lifestyle Chiropractic who were available all week for on and off court assistance.
Sarah Butter the Tournament organiser said “It was a remarkable week, made even more superb by the support of our fantastic sponsors who made it all possible. We played host to some of the top junior players from as far away as Warwickshire travelling down to play great tennis. Tennis is a sport that needs greater recognition in this County as we have some of the greatest junior players here. The results from the week prove once again that the children can compete at this level and come out on top, many of the top seeds from further afield were knocked out in the opening rounds by our Counties children and it makes me very proud to be part of this exciting time in Cornish Tennis. You never know the next Nadal could come from Cornwall. I am really looking forward to next year and who knows, the feedback was so good with this event we may even be granted a Grade 2 one day...”