Somerset was represented by four players this year in the Junior Nationals, held at the West Hants Club in Bournemouth across August 2011. The players were trying to follow in some lofty footsteps after Somerset have produced nationals champions in the last three years in the shape of Andrew Bettles, Richard Gabb and James Marsalek.
Rising star Ola Pitak from Taunton was an entry in the U10 invitational event and performed well. After losing a tight first round match she came through the three matches in the consolation draw to finish a notable 9th knocking out players three other players en route.
Ed Shattock, also from Taunton made it into the U12 Qualifying draw losing a tough first round match 6-2 6-2 to Edward Gardner from Avon, who competed in the Taunton Grade 3 under 12 event last week, losing in the last 32. Edward made up for his nationals’ disappointment in coming back strongly to win the U12 Somerset Closed Singles events.
James Mitchell, who lives in near Mark in Somerset and trains and international High Performance Centre in Bath made it into the U14 boys qualifying draw losing in the last 32 6-1 6-4 to Ben Smith from Oxfordshire. Older Brother Toby Mitchell performed well in both the U16 and U18 draws on the back of success in Canada at ITF events.
Toby, Seeded 6 in the U16 won through his first round easily defeating qualifier Jacob Whalley 6-0 6-3. A tougher match in the last 16 pitted him against Alexander Gasson ranked 11, from Hampshire and Isle of Wight. Toby won through in two tight sets 7-6 7-6 leaving him a quarter final match up against number 1 seed Joshua Page from Middlesex. After winning through the first set 6-3, Mitchell dipped in the second losing it 6-2. Page eventually won through in the tightest of fashions winning the third set tie-break 7-2. The represents a continuation of a great summer for Mitchell who is improving week by week.
Toby also made an impact in the U18 age group. After gaining a wild card in qualifying draw, he duly made use of it winning two matches to qualify in straight sets. After securing his place in the main draw he came up against fellow qualifier and former Millfield pupil Scott Clayton. Toby lost in two sets 6-3 6-3.
For all the results from the British Junior Nationals please view
http://www.lta.org.uk/players-parents/Competition/AEGON-Junior-Nationals/Draws-and-Results/