Clarke gets one over his city tennis rival Ferguson

Friday, June 08, 2012

A third Tennis Europe final has been dominated by city juniors Sam Ferguson and Jay Clarke.

Neither youngster dropped a set on their way to the last round of the Bergant Memorial for Nova Kbm Cup, in Maribor, Slovenia, after receiving opening-round byes.

Clarke, of Normanton, served a double bagel to home hope Amadej Goruean in the second round, while Ferguson, of Spondon, beat American Jan Neuburger Higby 6-3, 6-0.

They then dispatched respective third-round opponents Patrick Schulz, a qualifier from Germany, 6-3, 6-1, and Swedish lucky loser Petter Dahlin 6-0, 6-1.

In the quarter-finals, third seed Ferguson beat Brit Barnaby Smith 7-5 6-3, while Clarke, the number one seed, triumphed 6-0, 6-1 against Switzerland's Charles Antoine Coens.

They secured their places in the final by beating fellow Brits. Ferguson's 6-2, 6-2 victory was against Long Eaton's Marcus Walters, seeded ninth, and Clarke claimed a 6-4, 6-2 win over fourth seed Daniel Bennett.

The 13-year-olds have already met in two Tennis Europe finals, with one victory apiece, but Clarke took the lead after their latest meeting – with a 6-2 6-3 win over Ferguson.

Clarke's father, Earol, said: "If Jay and Sam can maintain this level, there's no reason why they can't get on the men's circuit."

Courtesy of Derbyshire Telegraph

 
 

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