Somerset’s Richard Gabb and Dan Manlow were in good company as they took part in the F1 and F2 Canadian Futures events with 2004 French Open doubles Champion Olivier Rochus and former junior world number one Filip Peliwo in the draws.
Manlow, a former coach at the John McEnroe Tennis Academy in Manhatten, New York, successfully came through qualifying for both events, securing himself places in the main draw of the F1 in Gatineau and of the F2 in Sherbrooke.
Gabb, from Street, went straight into the main draws of Gatineau and Sherbrooke as the sixth and eighth seed respectively, his performance in Gatineau showed why he was among the top players in the field as he reached the semi-finals before losing to the eventual champion and a fellow Brit, Dan Smethurst.
Unfortunately for Manlow, his progress was halted in the first round by an impressive Hugo Di Feo, Canada. Despite defiant battle from Manlow, the 18 year old Canadian came through in two close sets 6-4, 7-6(5).
In Sherbrooke, both players endured a tough time in the main draw. Manlow, from Wellington, was drawn against current world number 271 and former junior world number one Filip Peliwo in the first round, whilst Gabb take on wildcard Raheel Manji.
On paper, Manlow’s match looked as if it would be a straightforward win for Peliwo, but the promising Canadian was pushed to the limit by 23 year old Manlow in a three-set epic. Both players were in touching distance of victory, but the cruel nature of a third set tie-break proved fatal for Manlow’s tournament journey. Peliwo emerged the victor after a 6-4, 6-7(9), 7-6(3) marathon match. The young Canadian eventually made it through to the semi-finals, showing just how stern a test Manlow faced in the opening round.
A tight 6-4, 6-4 first round win for Gabb earned him a match up with Bulgarian Dimitar Kudrovsky for a place in the quarter-finals. After a close first set was won by the Bulgarian, 6-4, Gabb never fully recovered and as a result was beaten in the second set 6-1 as Kudrovsky kept up the pressure. Gabb can take heart in the fact that his conqueror went on to win the whole tournament and be crowned champion.
Click Here for more information on the ITF F1 Futures event in Gatineau, Canada
Click Here for more information on the ITF F2 Futures event in Sherbrooke, Canada