The high quality clay court tennis continued at The Northumberland Club on Thursday with three British Men making it through to Friday’s Singles semi-finals, together with an all British line up in the Men’s Doubles Final.
Un-seeded Ashley Hewitt made it 3 semi-finals in a row, after knocking out top seed Dan Evans in straight sets. The 21 year old came out of the blocks on fire, and quickly established a 6-1 5-1 lead. Evans then produced some inspired tennis to win 5 games in a row, including saving three match points when serving at 2-5 0-40.
However, Hewitt showed remarkable calmness and strength of mind to steady the shift of momentum, and after taking the second set into a tie-break, reeled off the first 6 points, and on his 6th match point sealed victory 6-1 7-6(2).
Meanwhile on the adjourning court another un-seeded player, Marcus Willis, staged a great comeback from 3-6 0-3 against Australian Jason Kubler. An altercation at 0-3 in the 2nd set seemed to inspire the 22 year old from Reading, who only lost three more games in his 3-6 6-4 6-2 defeat of the number 4 seed.
2012 runner-up Dan Smethurst continued his impressive run to the last 4. Seeded 3, Smethurst is yet to drop a set this week after his 6-2 6-4 defeat of Julien Obry from France.
Whilst 18 year old Luke Bambridge, nearly made it an all British semi-final line-up. Having won the first set 6-4 against 2nd seed Axel Michon, the smallest of margins denied the Nottingham teenager a chance to serve for the match at 5-4, and the experienced Frenchman, world ranked 332, sensing an opportunity broke serve at 4-5 to level the match, and went on to win the final set 6-3.
Friday’s Doubles Final, an all British affair, is a very youthful line up with 20 year old Toby Martin the oldest player on court! With 19 year old partner Scott Clayton, the Bath based pair will be playing for their first pro doubles title, after coming back to beat Neil Pauffley & Matt Short in their semi-final.
Meanwhile, Luke Bambridge overcame the disappointment of his singles reversal earlier in the day, partnering Cameron Norrie in a 6-3 7-6(5) defeat of top seeds James Cluskey & Gero Kretschmer, to secure a place in Friday’s 10.30am Doubles Final.
The first of the Singles semi-finals scheduled for 10.30am is Marcus Willis against Axel Michon, with Ashley Hewitt versus Dan Smethurst to follow.
Entry is free for spectators.
Image is by 'Nick Clark Imaging'