tennis Fixture

Neptune British Open Singles and Doubles Championships 2011

For Singles Draw and latest results click here

For Doubles Draw and latest results click here

RESULTS and REPORTS

Tuesday 22^nd November OPEN DOUBLES FINAL

Rob Fahey & Steve Virgona (1) bt Bryn Sayers & Kieran Booth (2) 6/2 6/1 6/0

The match followed the form book with the combination of the best Tennis player ever to pick up a racquet (Rob Fahey) with the best doubles player in the world (Steve Virgona) too strong on the day for the valiant challengers, Bryn Sayers and Kieran Booth. The first set was probably the tightest and 6/2 did not tell the whole story, but then Steve worked the court, effortlessly covering the corners whilst Rob waited for the kill. The world champions regained the Neptune British Doubles title and were presented with the silverware by Robin Geffen.

Tournament organisers, Nick Jones and Alistair Lumsden, received hearty congratulations from the packed galleries at the completion of a highly successful tournament, and there was a special mention to Aggie Hudson-Evans, who works tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure everything works on the day. Aggie leaves at the end of the week for a short break in Goa and to pursue a new career - she will be missed by all!

Finally, Giles Gunning was awarded the annual Grays Racquet for the most improved Junior. Giles, from Seacourt, Hayling Island, has significantly developed his game in the last 12 months and has shown much potential for the future. He is pictured below receiving his racquet from Rob Fahey and Robin Geffen.

Monday 21^st November OPEN SINGLES FINAL

Rob Fahey (1) bt Bryn Sayers (3) 2/6 6/0 3/6 6/4 6/4

Rob Fahey, the top seed and world champion, narrowly beat Bryn Sayers, seeded 3 and in his first Neptune British Open Final in a tense five set marathon. The entire match lasted three and a half hours, with Bryn surviving no less than 10 championship points.

The first two sets were, in their own right, superb Tennis, with first Bryn on top winning 6/2; and then Rob responding 6/0 - virtuoso Tennis by both players in turn. But the last three sets were played at a breathless pace, with the highest standard reached by both players, each trading virtually impossible serves with main wall dedans. Both players were volleying with perfection and the chases were very often around the yard mark - and beaten! Bryn closed out the third set 6/3 to restore his lead; and again Rob responded in the fourth, winning 6/4.

The scene was set for a brilliant fifth and deciding set. The early exchanges saw both players at the height of their game, but it was Rob who made the break through, beating a 1 and 2 chase by inches and take a 4-1 lead. Two games later it was 5-2, and Rob was almost unstoppable reaching 40-0 on serve - the first of three championship points. Bryn dug deep and recovered in spectacular fashion, the most memorable point being three dedan forces, the first two impossibly defended by Rob; and then going on to pull the game back. The next game saw Rob reach 40-15 with Bryn again hitting the grille to recover to 5-4. It was the same story in what became the deciding game 40-15 Rob back to deuce, followed by a further three championship points before Rob made it count on the eleventh.

Robin Geffen, Neptune, was on hand to present the prizes - to Rob a twelfth British Open, and ninth consecutive victory - but Bryn has announced he is a force who will be in contention in next year's world challenge.

Sunday 20^th November SEMI FINALS DOUBLES

K Booth & B Sayers (2) bt M Gooding & J Stout (6) 6/4 2/6 6/3 5/6 6/1

R Fahey & S Virgona (1) bt T Chisholm & J Male (3) 6/2 6/2 6/1

Bryn Sayers and Kieran Booth see off a spirited challenge by New York pair Mike Gooding and Jamie Stout. Sets were traded with each side gaining the ascendency, and when Mike and Jamie levelled at 2 sets all, it seemed anything was possible. However Bryn and Kieran found an extra gear and won the fifth with the loss of only one game.

Business as usual for top seeds Rob Fahey and Steve Virgona, who saw off a spirited challenge from Tim Chisholm and James Male. The straight sets victory masks the contribution of Tim and James in a terrific semi final - but they were fighting off a tirade of forced winners from Steve and Rob's unnerving power and consistency.

The final is set for Tuesday evening - with favourites Rob and Steve pitted against local hero Bryn and top amateur Kieran.

Saturday 19^th November SEMI FINALS SINGLES

B Sayers (3) bt S Virgona (2) 5/6 6/5 6/3 0/6 6/3

Historic win for Bryn to make Monday's final. After three and a half hours Bryn Sayers finally beat Steve Virgona to make his first appearance in the final of the British Open. The first two sets were incredibly tight, with first Steve and then Bryn winning 6/5. The third saw the balance swing backwards and forwards before Bryn closed out 6/3 to edge ahead. The fourth set was a total reverse with Steve sweeping in winners with ease to level at 2 sets all. Steve edged ahead in the final, climatic set 2-0, before Bryn came back 2-2 and then 3-3. But Bryn inched ahead and held his nerve, winning the final game to love. The galleries erupted as their hero upset the form book with a superb win.

R Fahey (1) bt T Chisholm (6) 6/4 3/6 6/5 6/4

It's Rob Fahey in four sets after a supreme tussle by two world class players with the highest respect for each other. Shots were traded at a furious pace with Rob controlling the first set and then Tim Chisholm responding in the second - with main wall dedans boasts, volleys to the winning gallery and drives to the grille being shared between the contenders. At one set all the match was finely balanced and the third set proved equally as tight, reaching 5 games all, before Rob took the vital eleventh game (and third set). The fourth set was tense although Rob just stayed on top - winning the deciding game in style to set up a fascinating final against local professional Bryn.

Friday 18^th November

M Gooding & J Stout (6) bt B Matthews & R Smith (4) 6/0 6/3 6/2

K Booth & B Sayers (2) bt C Chapman & D Woodman 6/1 6/2 6/2

T Chisholm & J Male (3) bt N Wood & P Wright (5) 6/1 5/6 6/1 6/4

R Fahey & S Virgona (1) bt A Lumsden & A Lyons 6/0 6/0 6/0

First on was the match between Stout/Gooding and Matthews/Smith. Though both pairs are very close in terms of their handicaps, Ben Matthews had the disadvantage of having played almost 7 hours of singles in the previous 2 days. This was clearly evident with Jamie Stout able to control the match, enabling the NY partnership to close out in 3 sets.

Next on were established partners, Bryn Sayers and the top amateur Kieran Booth, against David Woodman and Chris Chapman. Though there were some fast and furious Tennis including some incredible boasting from all four players, Bryn remained extremely steady on his home court and managed to control the match, closing in three sets 6/1 6/2 6/2.

The third match always had the potential to be the closest and so it proved. This tie pitted Nick Wood and Peter Wright against Tim Chisholm and British Open super-sub James Male. James answered the call to play with Tim when Camden Riviere withdrew injured. The first set went fairly quickly 6-1 to Tim and James, but then Peter found his form and started volleying purposefully; Nick and Peter recovered from 2-4 down to secure the set 6-5 (taking the last game with 4 dedans winning shots). Tim then raised the tempo and, with partner James, took the third 6-1. Their valiant opponents reached 4-3 in the fourth, before Tim and James found top gear and passed the finishing post.

The final tie was always going to be difficult for Andrew Lyons and Alistair Lumsden. They were taking on the 5-time World Doubles champions, Steve Virgona and Rob Fahey. Unfortunately for the Queen's pair, the current holders of the world title both had potentially tough singles matches the next day and were not going to take prisoners. Alistair also pointed out prior to the match that as RF has always said Steve is the best doubles player ever, their best option was to play everything on the best player ever to pick up a racquet! The outcome was predictable - Steve and Rob progressed to the semi final.

So in the doubles semi finals there are no fewer than 4 former multiple winners of this title and another who has previously won the World Doubles and numerous open doubles titles (not to mention the world Rackets champion who happens to be very useful at Tennis too) - Sunday should have some exceptional Tennis!

Thursday 17^th November

S Virgona (2) bt N Wood (7) 6/0 6/0 6/0

B Sayers (3) bt K Booth (8) 6/1 6/1 6/1

T Chisholm (6) bt B Matthews (4) 5/6 6/5 2/6 6/4 6/0

18:30 R Fahey (1) bt J Stout (5) 6/3 6/2 4/6 6/1

The first two matches were won in straight sets with Steve Virgona dispatching Nick Wood, and Bryn Sayers similarly defeating Kieran Booth - both in line with the seeding. Steve and Bryn meet in Saturday's first semi final - the clash of the second and third seeds.

The third quarter final between Tim Chisholm and Ben Matthews was anything but straightforward with the first two sets both needing eleven games to close out, leaving the match delicately balanced at 1 set all. At 2-2, the fifth game of the third set went to multiple deuces - with neither player willing to give ground - and both having opportunities to inch ahead. In the end, it was Ben who broke the deadlock - and then take the next 3 games to lead two sets to one. Tim fought hard in the fourth and struck back to level the match at 2 sets apiece - and then, with the momentum, swept into the semi finals winning the deciding set.

The final match pitched two world champions together, and it was Rob Fahey who came through defeating Rackets champion Jamie Stout in four sets. The match was marked by moments of impossible brilliance with both players trading boasted winners into the dedans with crisp volleys into the winning gallery - but for two sets Rob had the edge. Jamie fought back to take a dramatic third set, using his speed and anticipation to his advantage; but business as usual for champion Rob in the fourth, to set up an interesting semi final against Tim Chisholm.

Wednesday 16^th November

J Stout (5) bt A Fowler 6/3 6/0 6/1

B Sayers (3) bt J Dawes 6/5 6/1 6/1

B Matthews (4) bt D Woodman 6/3 3/6 3/6 6/5 6/4

T Chisholm (6) bt W Burns 6/5 6/0 6/1

R Fahey (1) bt M Gooding 6/1 6/3 6/2

The match of the day was unquestionably Ben Matthews five set win over Dave Woodman. Ben took the first set before Dave claimed the next two and reached multiple match points in the fourth. Ben dug deep and clawed back the set before both players teased the Dedans with an exhilarating fifth set. The game was locked at two games all with countless deuces before Ben eventually closed out the match 6/4 after 3 hours and 20 minutes. Tim Chisholm saw the entire match from the markers' box before eliminating Will Burns in three set. Ben and Tim meet in the quarter final in what promises to be the pick of the round.

Earlier, local professional Bryn Sayers survived a first set scare against a skilful Jon Dawes. At 5-1 down in the first, Bryn found his touch and fought back to 6/5. Jon's opportunity had evaporated as Bryn eased through the following two sets for the loss of only two more games. Bryn takes on top amateur Kieran Booth in the quarter finals.

Finally, an intriguing quarter final clash of world champions was guaranteed as Rackets ace Jamie Stout beat Andrew Fowler; while World Champion Rob Fahey opened his campaign against Mike Gooding. Both favourites came through in straight sets, although both Andrew and Mike fought hard throughout their respective matches. However, Jamie's sheer athleticism and the supreme skill of Rob won through.

Jamie took a break from the British Open to win his final qualifying match in the Rackets Invitation Singles - running in parallel - making it three wins out of three. Jamie remains firm favourite to reclaim this prestigious title.

Tuesday 15^th November

S Virgona (2) bt P Wright 6/2 6/2 6/1

M Gooding bt J Lumley 6/2 6/3 4/6 6/1

K Booth (8) bt C Chapman 6/5 6/4 6/3

N Wood (7) bt R Smith 2/6 6/1 1/6 6/1 6/5

D Woodman bt M Devine 6/0 6/3 6/1

The first of the quarter finals was decided as Steve Virgona, the second seed, swept past the resilient Peter Wright - but not without a fight. Steve will play Nick Wood, the seventh seed, who had a topsy turvy match against Ricardo Smith, eventually decided in a tight fifth set. Elsewhere top amateur Kieran Booth, seeded eight, edged past Chris Chapman in an extremely close three-setter - with Chris missing out on set points in the first.

The other story of the day was John Lumley, the young professional from Radley, who took a set off Mike Gooding, before normal service was resumed, Mike winning through in four sets. Mike's reward is to take on World Champion and eleven time British Open Champion, Rob Fahey for a place in the quarter final........................

Monday 14th November

C Chapman & D Woodman bt W Burns & J Dawes 6/3 4/6 6/3 6/2

A Lumsden & A Lyons bt R McNaughtan & A Phillips 6/3 4/6 6/1 6/0

N Wood & P Wright (5) bt A Fowler & M Ronaldson 6/4 6/2 6/2

M Gooding & J Stout (6) bt A Chinneck & J Lumley 6/3 6/1 6/1

Sunday 13th November

P Wright bt T Seymour Mead 6/4 6/2 6/0

C Chapman bt R McNaughtan 5/6 6/3 2/6 6/1 6/1

A Fowler bt M Ronaldson 6/5 6/2 6/4

R Smith bt A Chinneck 6/2 6/1 6/2

J Dawes bt T Durack 3/6 6/4 6/4 6/1

W Burns bt C Ronaldson 6/2 6/2 0/6 6/4