23 year old Dan Smethurst has made it through to his second successive singles final in the opening Aegon GB Pro-Series events of 2014.
The Mancunian, who trains in Nottingham, continued his highly impressive start to the year, with an excellent win over 3rd seed Yannick Mertens. Smethurst powered his way through the first set 61, and although the 2nd set went to a tie-break, the Brit closed out the match 6-1, 7-6(3).
The other semi-final, an all British affair between Dan Cox and David Rice, saw top seed Cox secure an early break, but fellow Team Gosling player Rice, who is yet to lose a set in Sunderland this week, quickly broke back, and a second break was enough to secure the first set 6-4. In winning the second set by a similar score Rice set up a final showdown with Smethurst on Saturday at 11.00am.
British interest in the women’s singles ended when despite taking second seed An-Sophie Mestach (ranked 136) the full distance, British number 4 Tara Moore, was unable to build on the momentum from winning the second set, and went down 3-6, 6-4, 1-6. However, there is British interest in the women’s doubles final, when Jocelyn Rae, celebrated her call up on Thursday to the British Fed Cup team, with a 6-1, 6-4 semi-final victory with Anna Smith. The pair will now be seeking a second title in a week, after winning in Glasgow last Saturday.
Friday afternoon saw David Rice return to court partnering Sean Thornley to their 21st pro doubles title together, after beating Richard Gabb & Josh Ward-Hibbert 6-3, 6-3. After the match the pair commented ‘ Winning here, and in Glasgow last week has been a great start to the year, after a good pre-season in December. In March we’re looking to play some Challenger events, to help push up our ranking’
Play starts Saturday at 11.00am with the men’s singles and women’s doubles final, followed by the two women’s singles semi-final’s.
Entry is free to spectators.