Summer National Tour Win for Tarvet
Tennis: St Alban’s boy Oliver Tarvet had another productive week on court in the 9&U boys singles event of the 16th TeamBath Open Tennis Festival held at Bath University to take his 4th National Tour title.
In a draw of 32 Oliver who trains at Batchwood Tennis Acedamy, got off to a really good start in the qualifiers against current National Champion James Vincent, who he had never beaten before, to record a straight sets win 7-4 7-1. Other strong performances resulted in wins against Essex’s Peter Eriksson and Buck’s boy Miles Groom to seal top spot in Group E. On the second day of competition all went according to form in the top half of the draw resulting in a much anticipated semi-final against the number one seed Surrey boy Mukhtar Andu. In what turned out to be a thoroughly entertaining match both boys gave everything to produce some high quality tennis, but Oliver’s dominance on crucial points just gave him the edge as he ran out the deserved winner 7-5 6-8 7-5.
In a twist of fate Oliver was again to meet James Vincent for the second time in the tournament, this time in the final. From the very first point the intensity of both players left little margin for error with fine angled forehands and commanding baseline play. Oliver shaded the first set 7-5 but soon found himself 3-1 early in the second after netting several winning opportunities despite some good approach play. However, it was Oliver’s day and he went on to dominate the match winning six of the next seven points to take the title in straight sets 7-5 7-4. Batchwood’s other representative Chris Smith gave some big performances to make the main draw for the second time this season and secure 15th place overall.