British Open Report & Photos 2012
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Neptune British Ladies Open Singles Championship 2012
11th – 15th April 2012
It wasn't talked about (perhaps because it seemed inevitable) but a bit of history was made at the British Ladies Open. With her victory at Seacourt in both the British Open Singles and Doubles, Claire Vigrass now holds all the major titles in Ladies' tennis, achieving her first 'double' Grand Slam. And on current form, it's unlikely to be her last such slam.
But there was far more to the tournament than that, with four former British Open Champions playing as well as current holder Claire, though not all were in the Singles hurly-burly. And also in prospect, another contest between World number 2 Karen Hird and World number 3 Sarah Vigrass, both anxious not just to beat each other, but also hoping to convince the World Number 1 that she will have to keep on her toes to retain her titles.
It was great to see so many younger players entering, many of them of course related to the above former Champions. The future of the game looks very bright with such a talented group waiting in the wings (or should it be: 'waiting in the dedans'?).
But there was far more to the tournament than that, with four former British Open Champions playing as well as current holder Claire, though not all were in the Singles hurly-burly. And also in prospect, another contest between World number 2 Karen Hird and World number 3 Sarah Vigrass, both anxious not just to beat each other, but also hoping to convince the World Number 1 that she will have to keep on her toes to retain her titles.
It was great to see so many younger players entering, many of them of course related to the above former Champions. The future of the game looks very bright with such a talented group waiting in the wings (or should it be: 'waiting in the dedans'?).
Photo Gallery: Click on photo to view a larger image with the name of player.
Singles Open Tournament
The first rounds of the Singles went without incident, with two-set matches and mostly convincing scores. The closest contest in the first round was between Redacted_vtju6 and Lucy Hutchinson, where they were more or less neck and neck. But a few unforced errors by Redacted_vtju6 at the business end of the sets gave Lucy the match 6/4 6/4. The other interesting match was between a Garside and a Lumley, across the generation gap, with 'oldie' Alex G [Ed: shome mistake shurely?] taking on 'young 'un' Tara L. Tara showed how effective her two handed backhand could be, and there were some good, hard rests, but Alex wasn't going to submit without a fight, and always kept the upper hand, winning 6/1 6/2.
By the quarter finals, all the established players were safely through, with just Lucinda Piggott left to wave the flag for the newcomers. Again, most matches passed without incident as Claire and Sarah Vigrass beat off spirited opposition from Jill Newby and Sally Grant respectively, and Karen Hird only allowed Lucinda one well-deserved game. The match between Alex Garside and Freddy Adam was a humdinger, though, with everything equal for the first two sets. When Freddy opened her shoulders and blasted with power, she was unstoppable, but Alex kept her cool and played into the corners to deny Freddy many chances to do this. So the third set looked to be a battle, though in the event Freddy straightened up from the start, and seemed to decide the match was hers, stepping into the ball and delivering killers. She took the match 6/4 4/6 6/1.
Freddy went on meet Claire Vigrass in the semi-finals. Claire began with a nasty sidewall serve which bounced once — and oh-so-nearly twice — and bamboozled Freddy completely. And so she continued, devastating Freddy with a variety of serves that were either returned into the net or volleyed for the dedans force but eaten up by Claire. Not surprisingly, Freddy had great difficulty getting to the service end, and not till the 3rd game did Freddy manage to lay a chase, and that was a hazard. Within 3 points, Freddy was back at the hazard end again and the first set just slipped away without Freddy winning a game. Things looked better in the second set, when Freddy managed some cunning low shots and took the first game. And she continued to put up a fight, keeping the rests going and using sidewalls better. But Claire was putting on the pressure with vicious forces to the dedans, and superb multi-wall shots across court so that Freddy never knew which way to move as balls came at her from all angles. Claire went through comfortably 6/0 6/1.
In the other semi, Karen Hird and Sarah Vigrass continued their fierce rivalry in a fascinating contest that was a test of will as well as ability. Sarah showed from the outset her firm intent to give Karen a hard time with a showy behind-the-back shot in the third point of the match. But things didn't seem to be going her way; Karen was serving great railroads that were either not returned at all, or sent high, to go 5/2 ahead. But then Sarah dug in as Karen went off the boil, with her railroad not quite so deadly: 3/5. It was so nearly 4/5, with 4 deuces, but Karen managed to hang on and take the first set 6/3. In the second set, Karen had the momentum and it seemed plane sailing: both were hitting a similar number of winners, but Sarah was making twice as many errors. The match seemed in the bag for Karen at 5/2 and serving. But she started to snatch at the ball, overhitting too many ground strokes, and Sarah began to swing freely with great attacking shots as she reeled in the games to make it five all. With good serving, it was forty-love to Sarah, but then Karen laid Chase 1 and 2. Taking over the serve with such a good chase, she must have anticipated the chance to level up the game — but Sarah executed a perfect and totally cheeky bounce shot into the dedans, to take the set from under Karen's nose 6/5.
In the final set, a similar story in the other direction. Sarah romped ahead to 4/0, capitalising on Karen's disbelief that she could have let the second set go. But then Karen's serve started working again, and her ground stroke length was perfect. She now turned the tables on Sarah, clawing back the games to level to 4 all, and then 5 all. So it all came to a nail-biting final game. At 30 all, Sarah defended 2 chases — Karen won the first, and then had Chase Off for the second! She laid another chase and moved to the service end, but Sarah won it: Deuce. Karen wins the next point, but then loses serve with a Hazard chase. However, Sarah puts her shot in the net, so Karen wins the point and the match 6/3 5/6 6/5.
In the finals, then, Karen Hird met Claire Vigrass, the defending Champion. Again, it was a brilliant match, with Karen getting to 40 up in so many games, but just could not finish off the winning points. The strokes and retrieving from both players were incredible, but Claire was unstoppable. She was able to add significant extra pace when she wished, putting Karen on the back foot despite determined volleying and defending. But Karen never gave up, and though she only won 2 games, she fought hard to the very end. Claire wins the Singles title 6/1 6/1.
Linda Fairbrother with Lucy Hutchinson and Viv Dawes
Doubles Open Tournament
In the Open Doubles tournament, there was a galaxy of champions competing: Sally Grant (Jones), Alex Garside, Freddy Adam, Penny Lumley, Karen Hird, and of course the Vigrasses. By the semi finals, things had shaken down to the four seeded pars. First up, Claire and Sarah Vigrass against Penny and Tara Lumley. The result was never in doubt, as the Lumleys were kept at the hazard end for most of the match, as the Vigrasses played an error-free game with occasional blasts of power just to show who was boss. Tara took Claire's serve and did a great job of returning it, as well as defending the tambour, but she had difficulty coping with the power shots especially those coming off the walls. The first set slipped away without the Lumleys winning a game. In the second most games went to deuce, but the Vigrasses were never really troubled, though both Penny and Tara were hitting the ball beautifully and it was great to see Tara obviously relishing play at this level. One exchange had 7 or 8 shots up and down the wall between Sarah and Penny, with nothing in it, till Penny sent the ball to Claire — a situation where most of us would promptly put it in the net after watching our partner for so long — but of course Claire just popped it inexorably into the dedans. And two games later, she won the final point with an equally efficient shot straight into the winning gallery. The Vigrasses win, 6/0 6/0.
The other semi was between Alex Garside with Aldona Greenwood against Karen Hird and Freddy Adam. It was a close match with great doubles play. As always, there was sharp volleying by Aldona, and great retrieving by Alex, but Karen and Freddy had the edge with powerful cut shots, and swinging the ball round the walls to finish points off. There were some fantastic rests, one in particular in the first set where 15 or 16 shots ended with an interception volley by Freddy in mid-court straight into the winning gallery. And some fantastic shots, such as a perfect lob by Aldona at game point against them, attacking Chase a yard, straight into the dedans. The first set went Karen and Freddy's way, 6/2. In the second set, Karen and Freddy began to make errors, and things were more or less even. Again some great rests, such as a volley interchange of over 10 shots. Then at 4/3 to Freddy and Karen, a game with 4 deuces went their way. The momentum was then with them, playing with just a touch more power and a touch more variety than their opponents, and they went on to take the set and the match, 6/2 6/3.
In the doubles final, the number 1 seeds (and current World Champions) Claire and Sarah Vigrass determined to hold onto their title and the number 2 seeds equally determined to wrest it from them. The match was played to a very high standard with the ball sometimes travelling so fast that one wondered how the players saw it.
Karen and Freddy started well and won the first game, but then Claire and Sarah got into their stride and pushed the score to 2/1. The fourth game went to a number of deuces, but Claire closed it out with a fierce shot into the winning gallery to make it 3/1. Karen and Freddy fought back to level the set to 3 all, with Karen's volleying impressive, especially when defending the tambour and grill. But they were denied any more games, and Claire and Sarah took the set 6/3.
In the second set the Vigrasses took the first two games, but all was not over, it seemed, as Karen and Freddy fought back to win the third game to love. The fourth game was also won to love but by the sisters, and after that, a succession of fast and fierce rests brought their score to 5/1. At match point in the next game, Karen and Freddy (who had been defending the galleries with skill and determination) managed to defend a shot into the winning gallery, but couldn't hold off the next match point. Claire and Sarah Vigrass added the British Open Doubles to their tally of titles. Karen and Freddy had fought hard all the way, but were unable to overcome the power and accuracy of Claire and Sarah.
Linda Fairbrother with Lucy Hutchinson and Viv Dawes
Open Plate Competitions
In the Plate Singles Final, Tara Lumley took on Jess Garside, who had played all week with a shoulder injury. Tara played very well making fewer errors and being more consistent in her shots than Jess. The games were much closer than the final score might indicate, but Tara was just that bit stronger and accurate. She won 6/0 6/1.
The new pairing of Lucinda Piggott and Alex Kurkjian proved very strong during the week, and they faced the Seacourt pair, Linda Medlow and Caroline MacDowell, in the Plate Doubles final. There were some excellent shots and rallies, but Alex in particular, if given a loose shot, really cracked the ball down, and then gave a grin of delight every time she hit a winner. Lucinda played low and strong, laying some excellent chases. Their opponents played with power, but around one in three shots were going airbound, and they were punished accordingly. Lucinda and Alex won in 2 sets.
Our thanks to sponsors Neptune Investment Management for supporting the Open, and the Handicap Doubles tournament; and to Pol Roger for the champagne prizes. The Seacourt Club and its members have once again been most generous in hosting these tournaments, giving up their courts, accommodating players, and providing an excellent dinner. Our special thanks to the professionals for their marking, and to Nick Danby for presenting the prizes. And finally, to the organizers: thanks to Viv Dawes, Alex Garside, and Lucy Hutchinson for their time and effort.
Linda Fairbrother with Lucy Hutchinson and Viv Dawes
Neptune British Ladies Open Handicap Doubles
Following last year's successful Handicap tournament held in parallel with the British Open, it was agreed to have another to encourage as many people as possible to enjoy the Open week at Seacourt. Ten pairs entered, with an initial round robin stage in 2 groups of five, with then two pairs from each group going through to the knockout stage. In Group 1, the strong pairing of Tara Lumley and Jess Garside romped through their games, winning all four of their matches; while mother and daughter Sally and Madeline Grant won three. In Group 2, Lucinda Piggott and Alex Kurkjian also won all four; interestingly they swept aside the high ranking duo Aldona Greenwood and Alex Garside 8/0, who did however win all 3 of their other matches, to also go through.
At the semi-final stage, it was young talent who won the day: Aldona and Alex couldn't overcome their big handicap penalty, and lost to Tara and Jess 8/2. And Sally and Madeline Grant went down to Lucinda and Alex 8/3.
In the Handicap Doubles final, then, it was hard to predict which pair would have the edge, with only 2 handicap points between them. Tara and Jess were owing Half 15, but they are an established pair who know each other's game; while this week was the first time Lucinda and Alex had played together, but had established themselves as a good fit. Tara and Jess made the most of their experience, and they stormed ahead to 4/1, but then Lucinda and Alex fought back to 4/3. All the games were hotly contested with some fast and fierce play, all four being fearsome volleyers, and it was tight at 6/5 to Tara and Jess, with still little to choose between them. But despite some valiant defending by Lucinda and Alex, Tara and Jess managed to close out the next two games and won the title 8/5.
Linda Fairbrother with Lucy Hutchinson
The first rounds of the Singles went without incident, with two-set matches and mostly convincing scores. The closest contest in the first round was between Redacted_vtju6 and Lucy Hutchinson, where they were more or less neck and neck. But a few unforced errors by Redacted_vtju6 at the business end of the sets gave Lucy the match 6/4 6/4. The other interesting match was between a Garside and a Lumley, across the generation gap, with 'oldie' Alex G [Ed: shome mistake shurely?] taking on 'young 'un' Tara L. Tara showed how effective her two handed backhand could be, and there were some good, hard rests, but Alex wasn't going to submit without a fight, and always kept the upper hand, winning 6/1 6/2.
By the quarter finals, all the established players were safely through, with just Lucinda Piggott left to wave the flag for the newcomers. Again, most matches passed without incident as Claire and Sarah Vigrass beat off spirited opposition from Jill Newby and Sally Grant respectively, and Karen Hird only allowed Lucinda one well-deserved game. The match between Alex Garside and Freddy Adam was a humdinger, though, with everything equal for the first two sets. When Freddy opened her shoulders and blasted with power, she was unstoppable, but Alex kept her cool and played into the corners to deny Freddy many chances to do this. So the third set looked to be a battle, though in the event Freddy straightened up from the start, and seemed to decide the match was hers, stepping into the ball and delivering killers. She took the match 6/4 4/6 6/1.
Freddy went on meet Claire Vigrass in the semi-finals. Claire began with a nasty sidewall serve which bounced once — and oh-so-nearly twice — and bamboozled Freddy completely. And so she continued, devastating Freddy with a variety of serves that were either returned into the net or volleyed for the dedans force but eaten up by Claire. Not surprisingly, Freddy had great difficulty getting to the service end, and not till the 3rd game did Freddy manage to lay a chase, and that was a hazard. Within 3 points, Freddy was back at the hazard end again and the first set just slipped away without Freddy winning a game. Things looked better in the second set, when Freddy managed some cunning low shots and took the first game. And she continued to put up a fight, keeping the rests going and using sidewalls better. But Claire was putting on the pressure with vicious forces to the dedans, and superb multi-wall shots across court so that Freddy never knew which way to move as balls came at her from all angles. Claire went through comfortably 6/0 6/1.
In the other semi, Karen Hird and Sarah Vigrass continued their fierce rivalry in a fascinating contest that was a test of will as well as ability. Sarah showed from the outset her firm intent to give Karen a hard time with a showy behind-the-back shot in the third point of the match. But things didn't seem to be going her way; Karen was serving great railroads that were either not returned at all, or sent high, to go 5/2 ahead. But then Sarah dug in as Karen went off the boil, with her railroad not quite so deadly: 3/5. It was so nearly 4/5, with 4 deuces, but Karen managed to hang on and take the first set 6/3. In the second set, Karen had the momentum and it seemed plane sailing: both were hitting a similar number of winners, but Sarah was making twice as many errors. The match seemed in the bag for Karen at 5/2 and serving. But she started to snatch at the ball, overhitting too many ground strokes, and Sarah began to swing freely with great attacking shots as she reeled in the games to make it five all. With good serving, it was forty-love to Sarah, but then Karen laid Chase 1 and 2. Taking over the serve with such a good chase, she must have anticipated the chance to level up the game — but Sarah executed a perfect and totally cheeky bounce shot into the dedans, to take the set from under Karen's nose 6/5.
In the final set, a similar story in the other direction. Sarah romped ahead to 4/0, capitalising on Karen's disbelief that she could have let the second set go. But then Karen's serve started working again, and her ground stroke length was perfect. She now turned the tables on Sarah, clawing back the games to level to 4 all, and then 5 all. So it all came to a nail-biting final game. At 30 all, Sarah defended 2 chases — Karen won the first, and then had Chase Off for the second! She laid another chase and moved to the service end, but Sarah won it: Deuce. Karen wins the next point, but then loses serve with a Hazard chase. However, Sarah puts her shot in the net, so Karen wins the point and the match 6/3 5/6 6/5.
In the finals, then, Karen Hird met Claire Vigrass, the defending Champion. Again, it was a brilliant match, with Karen getting to 40 up in so many games, but just could not finish off the winning points. The strokes and retrieving from both players were incredible, but Claire was unstoppable. She was able to add significant extra pace when she wished, putting Karen on the back foot despite determined volleying and defending. But Karen never gave up, and though she only won 2 games, she fought hard to the very end. Claire wins the Singles title 6/1 6/1.
Linda Fairbrother with Lucy Hutchinson and Viv Dawes
Doubles Open Tournament
In the Open Doubles tournament, there was a galaxy of champions competing: Sally Grant (Jones), Alex Garside, Freddy Adam, Penny Lumley, Karen Hird, and of course the Vigrasses. By the semi finals, things had shaken down to the four seeded pars. First up, Claire and Sarah Vigrass against Penny and Tara Lumley. The result was never in doubt, as the Lumleys were kept at the hazard end for most of the match, as the Vigrasses played an error-free game with occasional blasts of power just to show who was boss. Tara took Claire's serve and did a great job of returning it, as well as defending the tambour, but she had difficulty coping with the power shots especially those coming off the walls. The first set slipped away without the Lumleys winning a game. In the second most games went to deuce, but the Vigrasses were never really troubled, though both Penny and Tara were hitting the ball beautifully and it was great to see Tara obviously relishing play at this level. One exchange had 7 or 8 shots up and down the wall between Sarah and Penny, with nothing in it, till Penny sent the ball to Claire — a situation where most of us would promptly put it in the net after watching our partner for so long — but of course Claire just popped it inexorably into the dedans. And two games later, she won the final point with an equally efficient shot straight into the winning gallery. The Vigrasses win, 6/0 6/0.
The other semi was between Alex Garside with Aldona Greenwood against Karen Hird and Freddy Adam. It was a close match with great doubles play. As always, there was sharp volleying by Aldona, and great retrieving by Alex, but Karen and Freddy had the edge with powerful cut shots, and swinging the ball round the walls to finish points off. There were some fantastic rests, one in particular in the first set where 15 or 16 shots ended with an interception volley by Freddy in mid-court straight into the winning gallery. And some fantastic shots, such as a perfect lob by Aldona at game point against them, attacking Chase a yard, straight into the dedans. The first set went Karen and Freddy's way, 6/2. In the second set, Karen and Freddy began to make errors, and things were more or less even. Again some great rests, such as a volley interchange of over 10 shots. Then at 4/3 to Freddy and Karen, a game with 4 deuces went their way. The momentum was then with them, playing with just a touch more power and a touch more variety than their opponents, and they went on to take the set and the match, 6/2 6/3.
In the doubles final, the number 1 seeds (and current World Champions) Claire and Sarah Vigrass determined to hold onto their title and the number 2 seeds equally determined to wrest it from them. The match was played to a very high standard with the ball sometimes travelling so fast that one wondered how the players saw it.
Karen and Freddy started well and won the first game, but then Claire and Sarah got into their stride and pushed the score to 2/1. The fourth game went to a number of deuces, but Claire closed it out with a fierce shot into the winning gallery to make it 3/1. Karen and Freddy fought back to level the set to 3 all, with Karen's volleying impressive, especially when defending the tambour and grill. But they were denied any more games, and Claire and Sarah took the set 6/3.
In the second set the Vigrasses took the first two games, but all was not over, it seemed, as Karen and Freddy fought back to win the third game to love. The fourth game was also won to love but by the sisters, and after that, a succession of fast and fierce rests brought their score to 5/1. At match point in the next game, Karen and Freddy (who had been defending the galleries with skill and determination) managed to defend a shot into the winning gallery, but couldn't hold off the next match point. Claire and Sarah Vigrass added the British Open Doubles to their tally of titles. Karen and Freddy had fought hard all the way, but were unable to overcome the power and accuracy of Claire and Sarah.
Linda Fairbrother with Lucy Hutchinson and Viv Dawes
Open Plate Competitions
In the Plate Singles Final, Tara Lumley took on Jess Garside, who had played all week with a shoulder injury. Tara played very well making fewer errors and being more consistent in her shots than Jess. The games were much closer than the final score might indicate, but Tara was just that bit stronger and accurate. She won 6/0 6/1.
The new pairing of Lucinda Piggott and Alex Kurkjian proved very strong during the week, and they faced the Seacourt pair, Linda Medlow and Caroline MacDowell, in the Plate Doubles final. There were some excellent shots and rallies, but Alex in particular, if given a loose shot, really cracked the ball down, and then gave a grin of delight every time she hit a winner. Lucinda played low and strong, laying some excellent chases. Their opponents played with power, but around one in three shots were going airbound, and they were punished accordingly. Lucinda and Alex won in 2 sets.
Our thanks to sponsors Neptune Investment Management for supporting the Open, and the Handicap Doubles tournament; and to Pol Roger for the champagne prizes. The Seacourt Club and its members have once again been most generous in hosting these tournaments, giving up their courts, accommodating players, and providing an excellent dinner. Our special thanks to the professionals for their marking, and to Nick Danby for presenting the prizes. And finally, to the organizers: thanks to Viv Dawes, Alex Garside, and Lucy Hutchinson for their time and effort.
Linda Fairbrother with Lucy Hutchinson and Viv Dawes
Neptune British Ladies Open Handicap Doubles
Following last year's successful Handicap tournament held in parallel with the British Open, it was agreed to have another to encourage as many people as possible to enjoy the Open week at Seacourt. Ten pairs entered, with an initial round robin stage in 2 groups of five, with then two pairs from each group going through to the knockout stage. In Group 1, the strong pairing of Tara Lumley and Jess Garside romped through their games, winning all four of their matches; while mother and daughter Sally and Madeline Grant won three. In Group 2, Lucinda Piggott and Alex Kurkjian also won all four; interestingly they swept aside the high ranking duo Aldona Greenwood and Alex Garside 8/0, who did however win all 3 of their other matches, to also go through.
At the semi-final stage, it was young talent who won the day: Aldona and Alex couldn't overcome their big handicap penalty, and lost to Tara and Jess 8/2. And Sally and Madeline Grant went down to Lucinda and Alex 8/3.
In the Handicap Doubles final, then, it was hard to predict which pair would have the edge, with only 2 handicap points between them. Tara and Jess were owing Half 15, but they are an established pair who know each other's game; while this week was the first time Lucinda and Alex had played together, but had established themselves as a good fit. Tara and Jess made the most of their experience, and they stormed ahead to 4/1, but then Lucinda and Alex fought back to 4/3. All the games were hotly contested with some fast and fierce play, all four being fearsome volleyers, and it was tight at 6/5 to Tara and Jess, with still little to choose between them. But despite some valiant defending by Lucinda and Alex, Tara and Jess managed to close out the next two games and won the title 8/5.
Linda Fairbrother with Lucy Hutchinson