THE Tunbridge Wells Lawn Tennis Club Championships Finals Day saw 24 matches played on the grass courts in perfect conditions.
As is the custom the ladies’ singles final started proceedings. The first set was a close battle between Ali Fleming and Liz Grove, with both ladies providing a very high standard.
A combination of solid ground and net play made for an interesting contest. Fleming took control of the first set, winning it 6-4, then went on to take the second set 6-0.
Mary Elder teamed up with Fleming to achieve a comprehensive win in the ladies’ open doubles, overwhelming Grove and Eleoner Deaves 6-0 6-0.
The men’s open singles event had 54 competitors.Last year’s defending champion, former club coach James Yeates, took on a relative newcomer in Peter Henshall and the styles could not have been more different.
Yeates wrapped up the first set 6-3 but Henshall fought back iwhen Yeates’ forehand conceded unforced errors and he won it 6-2.
The level of play continued at a high standard in the deciding set but it was Yeates’ experience and more consistent play that won him the set 6-2 and he took the title.
There is a range of ages catered for in the tournament from nine-year-olds to the over-70s. In total there were nine junior events ranging from Nine-and-Under to 18-and-Under.
All matches where played in hot conditions but the level of tennis was extremely high, and there were some close and thought-out matches which could have gone either way.
The winners in the junior section were: 9U mixed, Fergus Malone; 12U boys, Freddie Rosin; 12U girls, Beatrix Blasi; 14U boys, Rosin; 14U girls, Blasi; 16U boys, Louis Filtness; 16U girls, Isabelle Coker; 18U boys, Luke Gare.
The day ended with the mixed doubles final, in which Nick Young and Elder played well to beat Jason Baker and Shan White 6-4 6-4.
The men’s veterans doubles event was won by Jason Baker and Andy Dawson, who defeated Espen Erichsen and Duncan Coker 6-7 6-4 6-3.
The ladies’ veterans doubles was won by Ruth Marshall and Julie Speechly, beating Sarah Lindley and Judy Walker 6-2 7-5.
PICTURE: NET GAINS: Former coach James Yeates (right) beats Peter Henshall in the men’s singles final
