The Ipswich Toyota Grade 3 LTA Junior Tennis Tournament held in challenging weather conditions at Ipswich Sports Club between 3rd June and 9th June 2012 attracted a record entry of 267 players. Despite the severe weather at the end of the week 488 matches were completed with final matches in U12 and U16 taking place as scheduled on Saturday.
The tournament was first awarded grade 3 regional status three years ago. It attracts top county players from Suffolk and surrounding counties and this year from further afield in the Home Counties, Lincolnshire, and Nottinghamshire.
For the first time the event was staged as two three day tournaments with U14 & U18 at the start of the week, U12 & U16 followed. A full range of mini tennis for the younger age groups U8 to U10 was also completed.
Suffolk players made good progress throughout the week with standout performances from Oscar Cutting, James Ling, Kitty McWhirter, and Ella Monsey taking titles in 4 out of the 8 main draws. Highlight of the week came from another Suffolk player, Ben Jones, with a string of strong victories to win the U14 singles beating the highly rated Will Davies (Norfolk) taking two tie-breaks in a high quality final 7-6(7), 7-6(4). The match decided by a handful of key points and full of excellent tennis. Ben backed this up with the shock of the week beating top seed Paul Midgely (Suffolk) ranked 29th nationally 6-4, 3-6, 1-0(4) in U16 quarter finals.
In the girl’s main draws Norfolk’s Maria Andrews who has a national ranking of 20 in U14 and top 50 in U16 reached two finals. In the younger age group her superior power and movement were too much for Erica Izatt (Essex). Maria couldn’t achieve the double coming back from a slow start against Kitty McWhirter but unable to continue her second set comeback into the decisive final set. As with Maria, Kitty also made two finals but again couldn’t bring home both titles losing to Ella Monsey in the Under 18.
In the younger Mini Tennis age groups the highlight was the continued form of Suffolk and Ipswich Sports Club Kylie Bilchev. Earlier in 2012 Kylie won a prestigious grade 1 National Winter Tour title at U9. Now playing U10 green ball Kylie swept to victory losing just one game.
Finals
Boys
U8 – Joshua Mumford bt Tom Signy 12-10
U9 – Oliver Travet bt Scott Whiting 7-6, 7-2
U10 – Harry Wendelken bt Owen Wilson 4-1
U12 – Oscar Cutting bt Alexander Wardley 7-5, 6-1
U14 – Ben Jones bt Will Davies 7-6(7), 7-6(4)
U16 – James Ling bt Tom Fisher 7-6(4), 6-0
U18 – Harry Weeds bt Ryan Lambert 6-4, 6-4