Regional Qualifying
The Surrey girls team would head to Loughborough Tennis Club to qualify for the County Cup Nationals. They were represented by Anu Obikoya, Ife Obikoya, Iman Garshong, Jizel Matos-Sequiera Fernandes, Eloise Saraty and Freya Hampton-Evans.
In the opening match Lily, Anu, Ife, Jizel and Eloise would play the singles against Staffordshire and got Surrey off to a great start, winning the first three matches in straight sets. The number one singles match was a great match going to three sets with Mae Mccutcheon narrowly beating Anu Obikoya. In the doubles Freya & Eloise won their doubles comfortably putting the match out of reach for Staffordshire. In the final doubles Anu & Iman wrapped up the match 6-0,6-2. Surrey beating Staffordshire 5-1.
In the second match Surrey played Bedfordshire and again got off to another great start with Iman and Jizel winning the first doubles. The number one doubles turned into a classic match going to a championship tie-break, with Bedfordshire sneaking the match 10-8 in the Championship tie-break. In the singles Surrey took the lead with Iman and Jizel winning comfortably 6-0,6-1 and 6-0,6-0 respectively. Probably the match of the tournament would be Ife Obikoya of Surrey and Olivia Elliott of Bedfordshire. With both players displaying powerful games, the first set went to a tie break with Surrey stealing it 9-7. Ife would take control of the match wining the second 6-2 and putting Surrey into the Regional Finals. Anu battled hard in the number one singles losing in a close match to Shanice Sefia. Surrey beating Bedfordshire 4-2
The Finals were between Surrey and Kent. Surrey went into the lead with Jizel beating Daphne Pratt 6-0,6-1. Jizel played a flawless match with few errors and plenty of winners. In the second match Eloise battled hard narrowly losing to Phoebe Watson 6-0,6-4. Eloise played brilliant tennis in the second set just couldn't quite convert the break points. In the third singles Iman Garshong played Sasha Hill. It was an exciting game with Iman's attacking game style and net charging. Sasha was able to defend off Iman winning 6-1,6-3. The final singles was between Anu Obikoya and Nell Miller. Again the number one singles was a great standard of tennis with both players hitting winners from all parts of the court. It would be Nell's consistency that would win her the match 6-3,6-1 giving Kent a 3-1 lead going into the doubles. To make the National finals Surrey would need to win both doubles and the tie-break shootout.
In the first doubles Jizel and Eloise would play Sasha Hill and Daphne Pratt. Surrey battled hard and fought back from 4-1 down in the first set to 4-3 with some great defensive skills by both Jizel and Eloise. Unfortunately Kent changed their game plan and with some excellent volleys from Daphne wrapped up the first set 6-3. In the second set Kent took control with a great display of doubles tactics and volleying, winning the second set 6-1 and putting Kent through to the National Finals. Kent beat Surrey 4-1
The Surrey girls showed an excellent team spirit over the weekend, with each player working hard and helping each other as a team. Caroline and I wish them, good luck with the rest of their competitions this summer.
Mark Holdstock - Team Manager