Monday, April 26, 2004

Cheltenham Junior Open Tennis Tournament - Photos

Now that the dust has settled on the 74th annual Cheltenham Junior Open Tennis Tournament we can now bring you photos of the winners and runners up receiving their prizes from former tournament referee Liz Thompson.
Please click on an image for an enlarged view.

Congratulations to everyone who took part and a special well done to those pictured above:
Tom Astle, Sian Budd, Victoria Bullock, Alison Carter, Gemma Casey, Leah Cox, Alastair Felton, Katherine Fisher, Lucy Forward, Charlotte Gibbons, Elisha Hande, Tim Hewitt, Nicholas Jones, Aaron Kiely, Rob Lowe, Richard Owen, Anna Peacock, Rebecca Poole, Matthew Sargent, Amy Sergeant, Niklas Smauch, David Tuck, James Turberville, Mark Westgate, Katherine White.

Posted at 10:14 PM [link]

Sunday, April 18, 2004

League rules now available on tennis-gloucestershire

We now have a full listing of the Gloucestershire Tennis League Regulations available online. This page has been added to the ‘Useful documents’ links section on the right hand side of each main page.

Posted at 11:08 PM [link]

Seasons Junior Tennis Club

A quick update - Pittville Junior Tennis Club has now been renamed. The club is now called Seasons Junior Tennis Club.

Posted at 10:00 PM [link]

Cheltenham Junior Open Tennis Tournament - Finals Day Report

Here at t-g we’d like to thank East Glos club for letting us ‘borrow’ and re-publish their news articles. It's been good following along with the events down at East Glos club, we’ve been keeping up with the action with a series of on the spot reports by Tom Elgood. After an event packed end of week we now have Tom’s report from the finals day of the Cheltenham Junior Open Tennis Tournament:

“Richard Owen has retained his Cheltenham Junior Tennis Open title. The Cheltenham based player defeated Nicholas Jones, from Cardiff, 6-3, 7-5 in the 12-and-under final at East Glos Club.Owen, 12, who is collecting points on the junior Grand Prix circuit to qualify for the finals at Center Parcs, beat Dorset’s Chris Hellier 6-1, 6-4 to book his place in the final. After a short delay due to a wet court surface, Owen quickly found his rhythm and coasted through the first set 6-3. It was not until the second set, however, when Jones started to play the tennis that got him to the final. A string of long rallies at deuce 2-2 brought all four corners of the court into play, which often ended with winners. This was until the final rally of the game, when Jones made an unforced error to give Owen the chance to serve for a 4-2 lead. He took his chance and then broke Jones’ serve again to serve for the match at 5-2. Owen looked the more reliable player, but this was not without Jones hitting the net with increasing frequency. For the third time in the match, Jones exclaimed: “The net is haunting me”. At this point, however, he went on to break the spell and Owen’s serve. A strengthened Jones also served a love game and then broke Owen’s serve again to square the match at 5-5. After long controlled rallies, Owen proved to be the more patient player as Jones went for a winner and hit the ball a fraction out. Owen consistency converted his third serving game into a well-deserved victory, for the second year running.

This year’s tournament, which has been running since 1930, has been one of Gloucestershire’s most successful years. Elish Hande, 11, who is from Cheltenham and plays at the East Glos Club, beat the number three seed Caera Howey , from Tyneside, with a convincing 6-3, 6-2 success. Before her run of form last weekend, Hande also beat the number one seed, Olivia Brown, in the final of the Bristol Junior Open. Her father Ravi said: “She had an injury last year and she’s got back into it really well. She has played 13 matches over the last two weeks so it’s time for her to have a rest.”

County champion, Patrick Doig, from Nailsworth near Stroud, was also delighted with his 6-1, 6-2 defeat over the 18-and-under number one seed, Mathew Sargent, from the West Midlands. He then lost 6-2, 7-6 in the semi final to the eventual 18-and-under winner, Rob West from the Channel Islands. Doig said: “He was good, to come up from Guernsey you’ve got be quite a serious player.” He added: “I almost had him in the second set, but I didn’t expect to get this far anyway.” ”

Posted at 9:33 PM [link]

Friday, April 16, 2004

The fourth day of the Cheltenham Junior Open Tennis Tournament

Once more Tom Elgood brings us his report. Here’s Tom’s commentary from day four of the Cheltenham Junior Open Tennis Tournament:

“Gloucestershire’s young star Elisha Hande has sent another seeded player home as she reaches the semi final in her 14 and Under campaign.

Hande, two years younger, showed the court gates to Tyneside’s number three seed, Ceara Howey, with two convincing 6-3, 6-2 sets.

How far Hande’s winning form and fitness can go will certainly be stretched when she plays her next opponent and number two seed Victoria Bullock from Leicestershire in the semi final.

Hande’s father said: “This will be her tenth match over the last two weeks, so this might be it.”

County champion Patrick Doig then waded in with Gloucestershire’s heaviest seed dropping, by beating West Midlands’ number one seed, Mathew Sargent, in the quarterfinals of the 18 and Under event.

Having passed his biggest test with 6-1, 6-2 colours, he now stands a great chance of reaching the final when he plays the Channel Islands’ number three seed, Rob West, in the semi final.

Meanwhile, Sam Tasker-Grindley proved he is also competition for top seed Mathew Sargent, in the quarter final of the 16 and Under event.

He got off to a slow and error filled start, which left him trailing 1-4 in a quick opening five games.

But, like he did with great success yesterday against the seeded Tom Astle, he came back and levelled terms to 5-5. The next two games were tight and went with serve to bring the set to a tiebreak. Unforced errors granted the set away, which proved costly as Sargent won the significant second set 6-0.”

Posted at 10:18 PM [link]

Thursday, April 15, 2004

The third day of the Cheltenham Junior Open Tennis Tournament

Tom Elgood brings us his report from day three of the Cheltenham Junior Open Tennis Tournament:

“Like the sun, many of Gloucestershire’s juniors kept shining through the third day of the tournament, despite the seeds coming in.

First and foremost has been East Glos’ Sam Tasker-Grindley, who met Oxfordshire’s Tom Astle, the number eight seed, in the third round of the 16 and Under Boys Singles event. From the off, Sam’s air of confidence may have boarded on cavalier tactics, but also pointed to a potential upset. After missing out on the first set by four points in the tiebreak, Sam's casual style suggested there was still plenty of tennis to be played. As the home player began to tame his wildness, he looked more comfortable on the Astroturf surface and won the second set 6-4. Although Astle got increasingly frustrated in the third set, they continued to exchange long baseline rallies. However, Tasker-Grindley’s variety of shots, highlighted by his touch volleys, won him the final set 6-3.Sam now has a tough draw against, the number one seed, Mathew Sargent, in the fourth round.

Also facing the wrath of West Midlands’ Mathew Sargent is our County champion Patrick Doig. He beat Worcestershire’s Chris Warner in the 18 and Under Boys Singles event to book his place against Sargent in the quarter finals.

Dan Shiner also had a tough tie when he played Avon’s James Turbervill, who is the UK number one in the 14 and Under age group. They met in the 16 and Under age group where they provided one of the matches of the day. Turbevill’s consistency made it a better day for Avon, as he won 61, 6-3.

Elisha Hande continued her impressive run of form with two more victories over seeded players. Like she did last week in the Bristol Open, she beat Lucy Roze in the 12 and Under event, and she beat the number five seed Sian Bayliss from Wales in the 14 and Under event.”

Posted at 9:10 PM [link]

Wednesday, April 14, 2004

The second day from the Cheltenham Junior Open Tennis Tournament

More words from Tom Elgood, this is his report from day two of the Cheltenham Junior Open Tennis Tournament:
“While the seeded players are poised to come in on the third day, the second day saw the rest of the juniors jostling for their position in the third round. These jostles certainly offered some exciting three setters, courtesy of the 12 and under and 16 and under boys and girls events.

Beginning with the 12 and Under Girls Singles, Megan Horder bowed out to Staffordshire’s Charlotte Lloyd after three tight sets, 6-3, 5-7 and 10-8 in the tiebreak. Mary Saunders got lucky in her first round due to the bad luck of her first round opponent Lauren Hayward tripping on a ball and getting injured. Among the many all Gloucestershire ties, Saunders then faced an on form Elisha Hande. Saunders did little to take Hande off her form, as Hande came through 6-2, 6-0.

Hande will now play Wiltshire’s number four seed Lucy Roze, who she had beaten last weekend in the Under 12 Hard Court Bristol Open. Although Hande was not seeded in the Bristol Open, she went on to beat the number one seed Emma Southall in the final. Hande said: “She is seeded, but I am feeling confident after last week.”

Meanwhile, Alicia Barnett won her first round against Jazzaway Drew 6-2, 6-3, but lost to a strong Sophie Weston 6-2, 6-0. Kathryn Savage got a walkover to the second round where she lost to Chloe Halloran 6-1, 6-0. Amanda Ripley had a bye to the second round where she lost to Sophie Atkinson 7-5, 6-4. Moving up to the 16 and Under Girls Singles event, it is the Owen sisters keeping Gloucestershire’s tournament hopes alive. Phoebe beat Nerissa Chesterfield 7-5, 6-0, while Rachel beat Emma Hingley 6-2, 6-2. Unfortunately, the Owen sisters are due for a tough time in the third round, because they share the top two seeded players.

Meanwhile, Annabel Sidwell beat Kelly Roze 6-1, 7-5, but lost to Avon’s Jessica Budd 6-1, 6-1. Although there were some fine home county performances, it was a similar fate for Gloucestershire’s boys in the high standard 12 and Under Boys Singles event.

Like his sisters, Richard Owen is a hope raiser, as his number five seed has provided him with byes to the third round. He will be the favourite to win when he plays Norfolk’s Rory Nicklin. Mathew Jenkins lost to Worcestershire’s Michael Shipley 6-1, 6-0. Alex Duncliffe beat Jonathan Day 6-0, 6-0, and then lost to Herefordshire’s, a year to his senior, Harrison Probert 6-2, 6-2. Max Arthur lost to Avon’s Alex Wiltshire 6-1, 6-3. Edward Williams beat Worcestershire’s Charlie Titmuss 6-2, 6-1, and then lost to Wales’ Jonathan Davies 6-3, 6-2.

Robert Sidwell beat Avon’s James Johnson 7-6, 6-2, and then lost to Norfolk’s Rory Nicklin 6-1, 6-1. Felix Clarke beat David Taylor from the West Midlands 6-2, 6-0, and then lost to Avon’s Samuel Williams 6-1, 6-1. In terms of the 16 and Under Boys Singles event, the Gloucestershire boys chalked up some good wins, but on one occasion this was over a fellow county man.

This was the tie between county buddies and doubles partners Dan Shiner and, six months to his senior, Josh Gadsby. Before this match, Gadsby had undergone a gruelling three setter with Avon’s Aaron Priestley. Although Gadsby won 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, it cost him his fresh legs when he met Shiner two hours later. Shiner also used plenty of quality ground shots to help dismiss Gadsby 6-3, 6-1.

Gadsby said: “We play county together and we know each other well. I ran out of steam, but Dan played well.” Surrey’s Joshua Yeng put Philip Hazelwood’s hopes to bed by winning 6-0, 6-0. However, Sam TaskerGrindley brightened Gloucestershire’s mood by responding with a similarly convincing 6-2, 6-0 win over Joshua Yeng. Tasker-Grindley will now play Oxfordshire’s, number eight seed, Tom Astle in the third round.

William Unwin had more of the highs in his yo-yo game with Avon’s Alex Nash by winning 6-2, 3-6, 6-1. He then provided the other half in the second all Gloucestershire clash against Adam Moran. Moran won 6-0, 60, and will now play the number six seed Tim Hewitt of Dorset. To get to the third round, Hewitt had beaten Gloucestershire’s Ben Banks 6-0, 6-1. Before this, Banks had beaten Oxfordshire’s Ali Snare 6-2, 6-2.

Laurrie Potter beat Worcestershire’s Keith Pratt 6-2, 6-1, and then lost to Staffordshire’s highly rated Aaron Kiely 6-0, 6-1. James Barnett got a bye to the second round where he lost to Oxfordshire’s Will Ward 7-6, 6-3. One of the longest and most exciting matches of the day came from the clash between Rys Turner and Liam Stokes of the West Midlands. After three fraught sets, Stokes prevailed 2-6, 63, 6-4. Nevertheless, in light of Stokes having a years advantage, this was a great effort by Rys.”

Posted at 9:10 PM [link]

Tuesday, April 13, 2004

The first day from the Cheltenham Junior Open Tennis Tournament

The Cheltenham Junior Open Tennis Tournament began on Easter Monday, hosted by East Glos Club. This annual tournament is now in it’s 74th year and includes our country’s finest young players. This report from Tom Elgood gives the lowdown on the first day’s play. As the tournament progresses we'll be featuring Tom’s reports here on t-g.

This is Tom’s report from day one:

“The glorious Easter Monday weather might have provided the first day of summer as well as the perfect playing conditions for the opening day of the 74th Cheltenham Junior Tennis Open. Once the tournament organisers had made their final adjustments to the draw, and the travelling players had made their final turn into the East Glos Club, the crowds of tennis enthusiasts were not disappointed with the way their well-earned bank holiday was turning out. This was, of course, until the rules of tennis were applied and the finite amount of tennis joy began to be shared between the first round winners and their supporters.

The tournament draw has been staggered this year, meaning lower ranked players can get closer matches in the early rounds before they meet the seeded players who come in at the later rounds. Beginning with the 10 and under female event, it was all smiles for Gloucestershire, as Lillie Owen from Hatherop near Cirencester beat Joanna Kondratowicz from Worcestershire 6-4, 6-3. Owen also got a walkover to the third round on Wednesday due to a retirement.

It was a double win for Gloucestershire and a double loss for the Kondratowics sisters in this event, because Sophie Brazell beat Monika Kondratowisc 7-5, 5-7, 10-8. The 12 and under and 16 and under female events begin on Tuesday. In the 14 and under female event, Cheltenham’s Elisha Hande won the all Gloucestershire clash with Claire Brooke 6-1, 6-0. Brooke had already beaten Claire Bayliss 6-1, 6-1 in the first round. Claire’s sister, Sian Bayliss, the number five seed from Wrexham, will now meet Hande in the third round on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Rachel Owen joined her younger sister Lillie by beating Heather Watson from the Channel Islands 6-3, 6-3. Gloucestershire’s other representation was Sarah Thomas who lost to Nerissa Chesterfield 6-3, 6-3, Georgia Rawlinson who lost to Lucy Derby 6-0, 6-1 and Aisling Hancock who lost to Jessica Davies 6-2, 6-2.

The only girl representing Gloucestershire yesterday in the 18 and under event was Annabel Sidwell from Painswick. She beat Tiffany Adam from Oxfordshire 6-2, 6-2 to book her place in the second round against Sally Clark from Somerset. Clark , however, stopped Sidwell’s campaign with a 6-3, 6-2 win. Gloucestershire’s hottest prospect and number two seed, Gariella Hay, is due to play on Wednesday.

In terms of the 10 and under male event, Alexander Duncliffe, of the East Glos Club, beat Harry Coultard 6-0, 60. Duncliffe will now face Joshua Ward-Hibbert, the number one seed, in the third round. Aaron MacDonald beat Shivam Pabari, of Worcestershire, 6-0, 6-2 but lost to Craig Loxton, of Wiltshire, 6-4, 6-4. Loxton is now scheduled to play Painswick’s Robert Sidwell on Wednesday. Christopher Cole lost to Warwickshire’s Benjamin Lane 6-2, 7-5.

Samuel Hartley lost to Worcestershire’s Peregrine Dunn 6-1, 7-6. Ben Harrington lost to fellow Gloucestershire man, Chris Green, 6-4, 6-0 who then went on to beat Worcestershire’s Andrew Pugh 6-2, 6-2. Green will now play Christian Cieslik on Wednesday. Another all Gloucestershire match saw Mathew Morrow beat Mark Whistler 6-3, 6-0. Toby Cowley lost Staffordshire’s Edward Chaudrey 6-3, 6-4. The 12 and under and 16 and under male events start on Tuesday. In the 14 and under male event, Daniel Omnes beat Avon’s James Johnson 6-2, 6-0 but went on to lose against the West Midland’s Joshua Crisp-Jones 6-2, 6-2. Joe Hobbins lost to Avon’s Alex Nash 6-2, 6-3. Joe Milnthorpe got a walkover against West Midland’s Simon Hayward but lost Wales’ Nicholas Jones 6-1, 6-0. Rhys Turner beat Cornwall’s Richard Gabb 7-6, 7-6 and then beat fellow Gloucestershire man Daniel Pethig 6-2, 6-0.

Laurrie Potter lost to Oxfordshire’s Ali Snare 6-2, 6-4 and Liam Stokes beat fellow Gloucestershire man Edward Mombiot 6-3, 6-1. Stokes also went on to beat Worcestershire’s Richard Tuck 6-2, 6-4. Richard Owen beat Staffordshire’s Nathan Kiely 6-1, 6-0 and now faces Oxfordshire’s Harry Brown in the third round. In the 18 and under male event, Gloucestershire’s county champion Patrick Doig, of Nailsworth, was beating Wiltshire’s Mark Bromley 6-0, 3-0 at which point Bromley retired with an injury. Adam Mills from Highnam beat Worcestershire’s Josh Brace 6-2, 7-6 but lost another Worcestershire man Chris Warner 6-3, 2-6, 6-0.

Josh Gadsby beat Surrey’s Joshua Jones 7-6, 6-3. Adam Moran lost to Aaron Kiely 6-3, 6-4. Sam TaskerGrindley won the all Gloucestershire clash with Ben Banks 6-0, 6-0 who will now play David Tuck on Wednesday.”

Posted at 10:28 PM [link]

How to keep your cool on court

Maybe you play it cool or maybe you let your feelings known on court. This article from the BBC’s Tennis Sports Academy might help channel your feelings into a winning game - Keep cool and win the point. - an interesting article from sports psychologist Gloria Budd.

Posted at 7:53 AM [link]

Wednesday, April 07, 2004

NJCL Fixtures

The National Junior Club League fixtures are now on the TotalTennis.net web site. Here you can see a full listing of competition events with details of each, ie. teams, fixtures and results.

Posted at 10:17 PM [link]