HSBC Road to Wimbledon - Essex Finals

The Essex Finals of this prestigious Tournament were held at Redbridge Sports Centre on Saturday 1^st July and Saturday 8^th July.   The competitors were all either winners or runners up in their Club or School 14 and under Tournament, rated 7.1 or lower.    This is the fourth year of the new format, introduced by the LTA, to give the lower rated players a chance to “go to Wimbledon”.  Judging by the comments from the players, they all liked the new format. 

This year we had our biggest entry, with 53 boys and 37 girls.   This was mainly because more schools were involved. 

Pictured:  Girls finalists Ellie bl

We used a different format this year, as there were so many players.  On the 1^st Saturday, we ran qualifying events.  In the boy’s event, the 8 players who qualified, joined the top four seeds to play a compass draw on the 2^nd Saturday.   In the girl’s event, the 8 players who qualified, with the 4 best runners up, joined the top four seeds to play a compass draw on the 2^nd Saturday. 

In the girl’s event, the semi-finals, No. 1 seed Ellie Blackford (Danbury) beat Rebecca Creevy (New Hall School) in a very close match.  Rebeca was unlucky, having been beaten at this stage last year.  In the other semi-final No 2 seed, Imogen Brooker (New Hall School) beat Abbie Mortimer-Ford (Danbury) in an exciting match.  In the final, Ellie came out the winner. 

In the boy’s event, Aaron Hilsum (Westcliff Lawn) beat Cole Shepard (DL Southend), the No 2 seed in an exciting first round match.   Aaron went on the reach the final, after No 3 seed George Budd, retired injured.  In the other half of the draw, No. 1 seed, Kai Chowcher (Connaught) had a very close match in the semi-finals, beating Stefan Protic (Westcliff Lawn) in 2 tie break sets.  In the final, Kai beat Aaron in three close sets.

 Special mention must be given to Lewis Scarfe (Avenue) who beat a higher rated player in the 1^st round and then benefited by the retirement of the No 3 seed in the next round and finished 4^th overall.   This is his last year at 14U and he has improved his performance each year. 

The organisers and referees of the event were Lesley and Ian Pitt.

 Results: 

Final: Kai Chowcher (Connaught) beat Aaron Hilsum (Westcliff Lawn) 3-4 (3), 4-1, 10-4 

3^rd/4^th Stefan Protic (Westcliff Lawn) beat Lewis Scarfe (Avenue) 4-1, 4-3 (2) 

Final: Ellie Blackford (Danbury) beat Imogen Brooker (New Hall School) 4-1, 4-2 

3^rd/4^th Abbie Mortimer-Ford (Danbury) beat Rebecca Creevy (New Hall School) 4-2, 4-3 (3)