Holders Roundhill out of Mercury Cup.
Hamilton from Melton ousted holders Roundhill in an exciting match on the Evington club's courts. They will go on to meet the finalists for the last four years, Carisbrooke, at the Knighton club on Saturday 20th June. The Mercury Cup has been contested for a century between the mixed doubles teams of the various local clubs. Details for spectators will be provided in next week's tennis column. As ever, a large and enthusiastic crowd is expected to watch the county's traditional curtain raiser to the start of the Wimbledon period.
Meanwhile there was outstanding success for the county's u10 girls' team. Benefitting from the county's training squad scheme at Loughborough University, the girls won 15 of their 16 Midlands matches with notable scalps over the likes of larger counties such as Warwickshire. The girls go on to the national last 8 finals at Bolton this week end.
There was good news for the county's world ranked lady player, 18 year old Katie Boulter from Woodhouse Eaves. Having risen to a very commendable world no 340 in her first year on the senior tour, Katie has been recently sidelined by a back injury and had to watch from the stands of Roland Garros over the last fortnight. She has been able to keep up a level of fitness training and is still holding out hope of making it back in time for the Wimbledon qualifying event at Roehampton in a fortnight's time.
County tennis clubs are throwing open their doors to this week end in the second of the nationwide 'Great British Tennis Week Ends'. Free play and coaching is available on Saturday 13th June at Roundhill (Evington). Knighton Tennis Centre (Knighton Fields). Oadby Granville (adjoining the racecourse). David Lloyd (Carlton Park, Narboroughh) and at Market Bosworth (Dixey school playing fields) . More details on line, simply enter your post code for the nearest venue's details and activities.
The longer British season has started on the grass courts up the road at Nottingham with a strong entry in the Aegon $250k event boosted by the late entry of former Wimbledon finalist, Agnieska Radwanska. Tickets are still available all week which ends with the finals on Sunday.
Knowing the extent of tennis following in Leicester, former world no1 and tennis pin-up Ana Ivanovic has gladly accepted an invitation from Withers Intersport to do a Q & A and signing at the Cart's Lane shop this Friday 1pm to 2pm. Whilst the event will be sold out, store owner Steve Brett says Ana will stay to meet fans outside. Ana is a fomer french Open champion and the event is a joint venture between Withers the leading racket sports retailer in Leicester and Yonnex the racket manufacturer.