14 year old Pierre Luiggi from Bleasby reached the final of the Jack Britton Tennis Trophy at the weekend. Playing in his first senior men’s event, he won through two rounds of singles on Saturday to reach Sunday’s semi-final. There he beat Tom Lewis, a coach from Charnwood in Leicestershire 6-4 7-5. In a rain delayed final, he came up against last year’s winner, 19 year old Sam Ashcroft from Derbyshire. Sam won the first set 6-0 using his power and experience to get the better of his younger opponent. But Pierre fought back to level the match 7-6 in the second set. The title was decided by a 10 point match deciding tie break, which went to Sam 10-4. Pierre, who trains in the Performance Academy at Nottingham Tennis Centre, can be proud of his achievement at this new level.
No 1 seed, Sam Ashcroft, who trains at David Lloyd Derby beat Paul Bellamy from Wollaton TC in the quarter final and number No 3 seed Clive Parsons from Loughborough 6-1 6-2 in the semi-final.
The consolation event was won by Jamie McLoughlin from Keyworth who beat Jaime Jimenez from Lincolnshire. The tournament was contested by players from around the Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Lincolnshire area, and excludes County players from the last 5 years.
Winner, Sam Ashcroft (David Lloyd Derby)
Runner Up, Pierre Luiggi (Nottingham Tennis Centre)
Semi-Finalists, Clive Parsons (Loughborough Town TC) & Tom Lewis (Charnwood TC)
Andy Bradley, Tournament Organiser