A stronger British Tour tournament than usual, because some players are using it to limber up for Glasgow. The top 5 seeds had world rankings:
(1) Ken Skupski has made it to the Final (2) Ian Flanagan went out in the QFs to Max Jones, who has also made it to the Final and is having an excellent week (3) Tim Bradshaw lost to our very own Fitzy in the QFs (4) Kyle Brassington lost to Oliver Evans, who lost to 7-5 in the 3rd set t/b to Jones in the semis (5) Andrew Fitzpatrick beat Bradshaw (see above) 4 & 1 in the QFs before losing to the Skupster in two tight sets in the semis 7-5 7-6(4), making it a pretty good week for him
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GB on a shirt, Davis Cup still gleaming, 79 years of hurt, never stopped us dreaming ... 29/11/2015 that dream came true!
Thanks for the tip about Naomi's site, I hadn't realised it had got so good!
"Up at 5.30am and driving back and forth from Stockport to Birmingham each day paid off for the Broady's this week. Liam played really well to qualify then beat Gent Rexha in round 1 eventually losing in the 2nd round to Max Jones 2-6,4-6. Max went on to win the tournament beating Ian Flanagan,Ollie Evans and Ken Skupski along the way. Naomi was playing Billesley (Seeded 1) as a warm up for the start of her 09 season. She was down to play both of the Ren sisters on the same day, Jess in the quarters and Jen in the semi. Playing either girl is tough enough so Naomi was delighted when she finally came though to win both matches. Jess led early in both sets with Naomi winning 6-4,6-4. Jen proved even stronger especially in the 2nd set with Naomi finally taking it 6-3,7-5. Both Jess and Jen have improved out of sight so congratulations to them and watch out womens tennis! In the final,Broady came up against Amy Sargeant who had previously played a brave semi to defeat world No643 Jocelyn Rae. Naomi raced to a 6-1 first set but was then pushed all the way by Sargeant. Broady finally took the victory with a second set score 7-5 . see gallery for pics of Max Jones and Amy Sargeant....Many thanks to Pete Greatorex and Andy Fyfe for a great week !
Just one point worth a mention! It's an absolute crime that Amy Sargeant receives no help from the LTA. She is a real fighter,is quicker and faster than ever and has a world class single handed backhand. Come on guys,if you want more top players you have to open your eyes!"
No surprise that the Broady's are willing to have a pop at the LTA because they have gone solo since that Bebo incident with Naomi. They are right about Amy as well, she trains at Tipton Sports Academy near where I live and could go along way with the right guidance. Excellent win over Rae as well.