Girls: National Championships (U14/U12/U16) - Weeks 32/33

philwrig · Hall of fame

RE: Girls: National Championships (U14/U12/U16) - Weeks 32/33

DavidC · Tennis legend

The under 12s started yesterday with the trio involved in the European Summer Cup (Freya Christie, Lana Rush and Maia Lumsden) amongst the seeds. Top seed is Ifeoma Kuchler, who has spent time at Bollettieri's, and can be seen on various YouTube clips. Here is the draw:

http://lta.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/draw.aspx?id=4562BFA7-58D5-4BBF-8E89-8208743F52B7&draw=13

murray_2k9 · Challenger qualifying

Ooh Ifeoma looks like she should be good. How come shes the top seed yet Ive never heard of her before today? Just my ignorance I guess!

Good luck to all the girls.

DavidC · Tennis legend

No surprises as the above 4 all reach the semis without dropping a set

SF

(1) Ifeoma Kuchler v (3) Lana Rush
(6) Maia Lumsden v (2) Freya Christie

Mervatron · Masters Series Champion

Yes i've never heard of Ifeoma before. Anyone got any info on her?

DavidC · Tennis legend

You can see someone from Bollettieri analysing Ifeoma's game here (and there are other clips available if you search):

http://watch-live-tennis.com/video/watch-video/nZN7PhikUB0/nikaprods/ifeoma-kuchler,-age-11-@-bollettieri-nov-08.html

She looks very tall for her age, but made little impression on Lana Rush today.

SF

(3) Lana Rush d. (1) Ifeoma Kuchler 6-0 6-3
(2) Freya Christie d. (6) Maia Lumsden 6-4 6-3

Final

(3) Lana Rush v (2) Freya Christie

-- Edited by DavidC on Tuesday 18th of August 2009 08:39:26 PM

DavidC · Tennis legend

Final

(3) Lana Rush d. (2) Freya Christie 7-5 6-0

Lana and Freya teamed up to win the doubles. Lana told the LTA:

"I was delighted with the way I played. I attacked as much as I could and I was consistent throughout the match which is always a good thing.

The under 16 event started today, featuring five seeded players who have reached ITF finals over the summer - Elisha Gabb, Lucy Brown, Daneika Borthwick, Amy Askew and Francesca Stephenson. All sailed through their opening matches. Here is the draw:

http://lta.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/draw.aspx?id=4562BFA7-58D5-4BBF-8E89-8208743F52B7&draw=18

DavidC · Tennis legend

Some major upsets today with Daneika Borthwick losing to Manisha Foster, Lucy Brown to Safiyyah Azeez and Jo Henderson hammered by Katy Dunne

QF

(1) Elisha Gabb v Ruth Seaborne
Manisha Foster v (8) Sian Bayliss
(5) Amy Askew v (Q) Safiyyah Azeez
(WC) Katy Dunne v (2) Francesca Stephenson

DavidC · Tennis legend

Ruth Seaborne provided a big upset today in the top half, but the bottom half, as expected, sees Amy and Fran lock horns for the third time this summer

QF

Ruth Seaborne d. (1) Elisha Gabb 6-2 6-3
(8) Sian Bayliss d. Manisha Foster 7-5 2-6 6-4
(5) Amy Askew d. (Q) Safiyyah Azeez 6-0 6-1
(2) Francesca Stephenson d. (WC) Katy Dunne 6-3 6-2

SF

Ruth Seaborne v (8) Sian Bayliss
(5) Amy Askew v (2) Francesca Stephenson

DavidC · Tennis legend

SF

Ruth Seaborne d. (8) Sian Bayliss 6-3 6-1
(5) Amy Askew d. (2) Francesca Stephenson 6-4 6-1

Amy and Fran are both apparently based at Gosling now, and Amy said, after winning their battle: It was such a good win because Ive lost to Francesca the past two times and of course shes a really good player. I was just so focussed throughout the whole match and stuck to all my goals. It feels brilliant and its like sweet revenge!

Doubles Final

(2) Bayliss/Borthwick d. (3) Foster/Stephenson 6-2 6-2

DavidC · Tennis legend

(5) Amy Askew d. Ruth Seaborne 7-6(4) 6-3

From the LTA:

The first set went on serve, with both girls matching their opponent with some superb clay court tennis at the West Hants club in Bournemouth. There was little to separate the pair in the first set which inevitably went to a tie-break. Neither player managed to exert their dominance on the tie-break, until Askew hit a forehand winner down the line to set up a set point at 6-4 which she duly won after Seaborne hit a forehand driving volley into the net.

As the sun continued to shine on centre court, Askew continued to win the big points throughout the second set as she ascertained a two game lead for the first time at 4-2. Seaborne clawed one more game back but it was to be her last as Askew wrapped up the match 7-6 (4), 6-3.

Im really happy and I played really well. Its just the best, said Askew. Im going to look with really great memories of this tournament as Ive really enjoyed the week and capped it off with a win which is brilliant. Todays match was definitely the toughest match all week. She played well and I didnt really expect anything else.

tenniscynic · Social player

I am so pleased for Amy - and for Ruth for having such a good week.

I haven't seen Fran play for about 6 months but am still a bit shocked that she is doing so well. I would never have rated her above Amy so good that Ms. Askew won so convincingly in their match this week.

Interesting that when they were younger the LTA didn't rate either Ruth or Fran.....

DavidC · Tennis legend

tenniscynic wrote:
Interesting that when they were younger the LTA didn't rate either Ruth or Fran.....

Louise Latimer was constantly being overlooked by the LTA as a young Junior. It seemed to make her more determined - and she ended up as British number 1. If Ruth and Fran have been treated similarly in the past, then I hope that has motivated them as well. The LTA don't have a great track record for recognising those with the potential to become good pros - something I expect the current regime are trying to address.