The Finals Day Report
Whilst the finals day was marred by the heavy rain which forced us to move the matches into the Dome from the beginning of the day – it did not dampen spirits or the quality of matches played.
Starting off with the finals of the Open Event, Alex Brown won his maiden Men’s Open Singles Title with a 7-6 6-2 win over 2016 finalist Vincent Gaugry. Vincent made up for his loss in the singles by teaming up with Jack Slaughter to defeat Jack Brooker and Gakuto Fuse 6-1 6-2 in an exciting match.
An enthralling Ladies Final saw Mili Shah retain her title for another year in a hard-fought and tight match versus New Team Player Sophie Nelson. 7-5 5-7 6-2 in a 3-hour match. Mili and Sophie then teamed up to take the ladies doubles 7-5 6-2 versus Anneka Els (Ladies 1st team captain) and Lindsay Forbes.
Sophie (this year’s busiest player, making it to 3 finals) teamed up with David Charlton in the Open Mixed versus Anneka and Jack Brooker. In another long, and tight 3 setter, Sophie and David won 6-7 7-5 7-6(5), in a 10.30 pm late-night finish.
In the Vets Men’s Singles, Richard Leslie won 6-2 6-2 against Peter Buck. Giles Corbey managed to play 2 mixed doubles matches, starting off by partnering Amy Tsao in the handicap Mixed Doubles, they won 6-4 6-2 versus Matthew and Alison Gurkin. Giles then teamed up with Jennifer Robinson to win the Restricted Mixed Doubles against Jerome Dumont and Helene Navarre 6-1 6-2 in another late-night finish.
During a slight break in the rain saw the Handicap Men’s Singles and Handicap Ladies Doubles attempt to play on the clay. These attempts were abandoned after a couple of hours in two very close matches with Petar and Vinh stopping at 12-12 in the first set. Vinh eventually went on to win 14-12 9-7 after both players agreed to rearrange.
Korin Harvey and Hiroko Muto were level with Megan Brady and Rosemary Maxfield at 7-9 6-4 1-1 when the rain won out. Korin and Hiroko finished off this match with a 7-5 win in the final set.
Next year will be the 125th year the tournament has been held.