tennis Fixture

Over 40 Open Singles Championship 2011

Over 40 Open Singles Championship

The tournament got off to a predictable start with the top two seeds, Roman Krznaric (1), Peter Wright (2) cruising into the semis with respective wins over the old guard, Alan Oliver and Kevin King. Ivan Snell (4), was welcomed back to the circuit, where he met Peter Paterson (5) in the quarter finals. The match started at a furious pace with great tennis, but Ivan's heavy cut volley return of serve and ground strokes proved too much for Peter and Ivan (6.3 6.1) booked a semi final show down with Roman. Hugh Latham, previous winner and local took on Queens pro, Ged Parsons in the match of the day. Hugh commanded the first set with his impressive cut shots, which had Ged in trouble and despite a late surge from Ged, Hugh won the first 6.4. The second set was looking remarkably the same as the first but Hugh failed to convert a huge point to take his lead to 5-3! Ged hung on and chased every ball down to bring pressure to bear and it worked with Ged winning the 5/5 game to 15. One set all and Ged carried his winning momentum throughout the final set to win 4.6 6.5 6.2 to reach the semi final. The semi final between Ivan and Roman was spectacular with Ivan starting the match aggressively, which had Roman on his back foot out and despite battling back, Ivan won the first 6.5. Roman started the second set with clinical precision and proceeded to dominate the match and went onto to win a place in the final (5.6 6.1 6.0). The second semi final was just as thrilling between Peter Wright and Ged Parsons but Peter's aggression and attacking volley's proved too effective at Seacourt and Peter won a place in the final (6.2 6.3).

The final was the best for many years with both Peter and Roman at the top of their games and it was a real battle between the classic floor game and the modern game. Peter managed to sneak the first set 6.4 by dominating the service end and clinical use of his volley to the tambour. Roman battled back and found his line and length, which proved devastating and won the second 6.1. Game on! Peter unperturbed raised his game to counter punch Roman's tactics and despite many close games they all went Peters way and he won the Over 40s the for third straight year. (6.4 1.6 6.2)

The back draw final was just as exciting with Seacourts MD, Nick Jones taking on Chris Swan in an epic encounter which saw both players in dominate positions but it was Nicks day as he won through 1.6 6.3 6.3.

Lastly a big thank you to Neptune for their generous support.First round

A Oliver (8) bt S Willis 6/3 6/3

P Paterson (5) bt P Lewis 6/3 6/1

G Parsons (6) bt N Jones 6/2 6/0

K King (7) bt C Swan 6/3 6/1

Quarter-finals

R Krznaric (1) bt Oliver 6/1 6/0

I Snell (4) bt Paterson 6/3 6/1

Parsons bt H Latham (3) 4/6 6/5 6/2

P Wright (2) bt King 6/1 6/0

Semi-finals

Krznaric bt Snell 5/6 6/1 6/0

Wright bt Parsons 6/2 6/3

Final

Wright bt Krznaric 6/4 1/6 6/2