Barnaby Thorold from Loughborough Town Tennis Club and Siabhan O'Gorman from the Leicestershire club won the county leg of the prestigious HSBC Road to Wimbledon tournament, a national singles tournament for under 14's. They will compete in the national finals in London in mid August.
The winners fully justified their no 1 seedings in the county event held over 2 days at the Carisbrooke club in Knighton.
Thorold conceeded only 2 games as he raced to the title beating Jamie Moncrief of Market Boswoth club in the final. O'Gorman was made to work harder for her victory, coming back from a set down to overcome Charlotte Clarke of Market Harborough.
The Road to Wimbledon starts at grass roots level with each of the county's clubs organising their own qualifying tournament before sending their winners on to the county finals.
Due to the Olympics being played at Wimbledon, the finals will in fact take place at nearby Roehampton adjoining the Lawn Tennis Association's headquarters. Tournament ambassador, Tim Henman, will be in attendance.
This year saw the first 'Road To Wimbledon' winner, Oliver Golding, play in the main draw at Wimbledon alongside the likes of Roger Ferderer and Andy Murray. The county hopes that their own rising stars, Thorold and O'Gorman, may follow suit one day.
More information on this tournament can be found at www.hsbcroadtowimbledon.com/2012-tournament-live/
Neil Phillips
Tennis Leics Ltd - Media Liaison