Invitation Singles 2013
Will Hopton pulled out another 5th game win, this time over Nick James. Hopton then beat James Coyne to move on to the semi-final stage as the group winner.
In the other pool, Alex Titchener-Barrett proved too strong for his opponent; Christian Portz secured the second spot to move on to the semi-finals. Congratulations to all eight players on some fantastic Rackets. Nick James, Tom Billings, Richard Owen and Queen’s Club Professional Ben Snell will all certainly make their mark in future contests!
An injured Coyne proved no match for ATB in the first semi-final; whilst Hopton overcame Portz three games to one in the second extremely close match, with three of the four games reaching set to five or three.
Hot favourite ATB started the final in style and established an unassailable lead to win the first game comprehensively. Hopton found his touch and fought back to level the match one game-all. The third game was to be the decisive reaching 14-all but Hopton stepped forward to inch into an all-important lead, winning the set to three. He then swept into a 11-3 lead in the fourth to see ATB peg him back to 11-all - but Hopton then closed out the game and match to successfully defend his title. This was an outstanding result for the Chicago professional.
As a consequence and added bonus, Hopton restored his World Number 3 Ranking.
Results
Saturday 16th November
- Alex Titchener-Barrett bt Tom Billings 18/17 15/8 15/9
- James Coyne bt Richard Owen 15/10 9/15 14/17 15/7 15/3
Sunday 17th November
- Alex Titchener-Barrett bt Ben Snell 15/7 15/7 15/5
- Richard Owen bt Nick James 15/6 15/1 15/6
Monday 18th November
- Will Hopton bt Richard Owen 15/8 15/3 8/15 13/15 16/15
Tuesday 19th November
- Christian Portz bt Tom Billings 15/11 9/15 15/3 15/6
- James Coyne vs Nick James 15/11 15/9 18/16
Wednesday 20th November
- Will Hopton bt Nick James 7/15 17/15 15/10 7/15 15/6
- Christian Portz bt Ben Snell 15/9 9/15 15/5 18/14
Thursday 21st November
- Ben Snell bt Tom Billings 15/8 15/4 15/8
- Alex Titchener-Barrett bt Christian Portz 15/4 15/3 15/9
- Will Hopton bt James Coyne 15/8 11/15 15/3 15/12
Saturday 23rd November
Semi-finals
Alex Titchener-Barrett bt James Coyne 15/2 15/1 15/1
Will Hopton bt Christian Portz 18/14 16/15 12/15 16/15
Sunday 24th November
Final
Will Hopton bt Alex Titchener-Barrett 4/15 15/7 17/15 15/11