16 year old Jonathan Hughes from Duffield TC caused a big upset at the Jack Britton Singles Trophy at the weekend.
The unseeded youngster won through four rounds of matches to find himself in the final of this 35 year old senior tennis tournament at Nottingham Tennis Centre.Hughes recorded a fine 6-0 6-0 win over the 6th seeded player Neil Butlin from David Lloyd, Nottingham, and then beat Gareth Billingham from West Bridgford. The semi-final was a much closer affair against Calum Gunn of Lady Bay in Nottingham, who had previously knocked out seasoned campaigner and number 2 seed Hudson Oakenfull also from Duffield TC. 17 year old Gunn easily won the first set 6-1, but Hughes fought back to take the second set 6-2. He was again behind in the third set and saved a match point before breaking serve to take the match into a third set tie-break. He forged ahead at the start and won the tie break 7-5.
His opponent in the final was 16 year old and number 1 seed Philip Peters from Nottingham, who had previously knocked out 3 times winner Mark Elks from David Lloyd, Derby 7-5 7-6. Peters easily won the first set 6-1 and looked to be heading for an easy victory at 4-2 up in the second set, when Hughes unleashed a series of unstoppable winners to take the set 7-5. Peters regrouped at the start of the second set, breaking serve twice in the first three games, as his greater experience told, winning the third set 6-0.
24 players from clubs around the Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire area contested the tournament, which excludes County players from the last 5 years. Richard Bradley from tournament sponsors East Midlands Fabrication presented the prizes on behalf of Margaret Britton, widow of Jack Britton, former Honorary Life Vice-President of the Nottinghamshire LTA.
Winner, Philip Peters (Nottingham TC)
Runner Up, Jonathon Hughes (Duffield TC)
Semi-Finalists, Alex Lees (Boots TC) & Calum Gunn (Lady Bay)
Andy Bradley, Tournament Organiser.