There are three Brits playing this - Pauffley, Willis and Angus.

Greenleaf - I think it may be a bit presumptious to suggest that the LTA did not 'allow' any of the top juniors to play. Just because none of the top players played does not mean the LTA did not approve of or allow it. I think this is backed up by the fact that Willis, as Britains highest ranked, is playing.
I also don't think this is a huge waste as it is good match practice on the grass before more serious events (wimbledon qualies, nottingham qualies and junior wimbledon).
As for quick publicity, this too can't be a bad reason for doing the tournament as publicity leads to potential sponsors which in turn could provide good things for the players which could help their tennis. Many of these players have no means to provide money, as part time jobs like normal teenagers have are impossible. Players therefore may struggle to afford driving lessons or become independant from parents. By doing things which could lead to more publicity and sponsors may help these players develop and in turn help their tennis.
Having said this I don't think any player would do this soley for publicity.

You've put that extremely clearly and well, Lilly.

Willis is playing Verryth right now. Verryth is a beast on the grass, so this could be a good match.

Come on, Marcus - impress us here and that can get you a WC at Wimbly qualies.

Willis will serve for the match at 5-4 in the third!

He played the big points better. Saved 5 of 7 break points and won 3 of 3 on Veryth's serve!

Angus lost to Rungkat.

Results from seven first round matches:

C. Rungkat (INA) d N. Angus (GBR) 62 76(7)
H. Kotinen (FIN) d J. Hernandez (DOM) 76(8) 64
M. Basic (BIH) d K. Wachiramanowong (THA) 76(5) 61
M. Reid (AUS) d M. Arevelo (ESA) 76(3) 67(4) 75
H. Cunha (BRA) d D. Wu (CHN) 76(1) 63
M. Willis (GBR) d M. Verryth (AUS) 64 57 64
G. Ruffin (FRA) d T. Trombetta (USA) 63 46 61



No draw is up - what a finely organised tournament! But looking at the results on the Protennis scoreboard, you can get a little idea.

If there's no mistake in that, Willis either plays Basic or the winner of the remaining match.


The field's not anywhere near as strong as last year - the ITF Grand Slam Tour boys are here, plus the Aussies who I think are based at Sutton anyway plus a few others. Normally it's of this sort of strength, last year was an exception because three of the world's best players came from Portugal, Lithuania and Belarus and hence were part of the Tour.

-- Edited by Greenleaf at 21:22, 2008-06-11