Ben Heynold lost to Alex Gilisen (BEL) 6-1 1-6 6-4
U14 Final Girls
Kylie def. MJ 7-6(2) 7-6(4)
Big congrats to MJ, all the same (people may remember the fuss 2 years ago about her (age 10) being on the verge of giving up as the NTC suddenly started charging court hire on top of coach fees, her mother (at the time) was on benefits and things, obviously, were very tight).
There is a Category 1 under 14 event in the Czech Republic this week and we have 3 quarter-finalists. Ali Hassan qualified and is yet to drop a set. Similarly in the girls event Holly Fischer and Emma Raducanu have not dropped a set, with Emma ousting the second seed (ranked 7 in Europe). Kylie Bilchev and Holly Staff are in the consolation semis, while Toby Samuel lost at the same stage of the boys consolation
Holly had an excellent straight sets win over the third seed (also ranked top 10) to ensure a British finalist, playing Emma in the semis. Ali was well beaten though. Kylie has won the consolation event.
Holly won the all-British semi 6-3 6-2 and went on this morning to defeat the 11th seed 6-3 6-1 to claim her first Category 1 title. Clearly one to look out for on the ITF Junior circuit, which she has recently become eligible for, at some point this year. Emma still has a 100% record in ITF Juniors, having won her only tournament in Liverpool (don't know why she hasn't played any since)
"Looks like there is a Tennis Europe event at Wirral this week as part of the two week festival and GB have a representative in both the boys and girls finals tomorrow.
I'm hoping to get down to the ITF junior event on Sunday and Wednesday next week"
Hope you make it down there, and have a good day. Good luck to our youngsters.
Lily Hutchings won the girls grade 3 at Wirral and stays on for her first ITF event
Peter Alam lost in the final, but has been given a wildcard into ITF qualifying.
Sophie Underwood won the doubles as did Joel Pierleoni and Henry Bowden