Ladies Masters Report and Photos 2012
BRITISH LADIES MASTERS SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP 2012
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A fine selection of knee braces, supports, wrist bands, and pain killers… Yes, it must be the 30 ladies of a certain age (and older) contesting the Ladies Masters tournament at Hampton Court, though aches and pains seemed to get left behind once they stepped on to court. And for one player (you know who you are, P**), the motto was 'Age shall not wither them' as she managed to chat up not one but three waiters at the Saturday evening meal.
But on to the tennis, which was fierce and occasionally furious. The top 14 players fought it out in the Singles tournament, played level and full 3 sets (no concessions made to bus pass carriers here). The other players took part in a Handicap Doubles, with preliminary round robin groups.
Friday saw the longest match of the tournament, possibly the longest match of any recent Ladies' tournament, at two and a half hours. Handover to our Paris correspondent, Gabrielle Smart, for the match report (to spare Linda Fairbrother's blushes):
After a long, tiring journey that took four hours more than it should have, I arrived at 5.15 on Friday to see Carolyn Nichols and Linda Fairbrother battling it out on court. Soon ensconced in the Dedans, I settled down for an absorbing hour — or so I thought…
When I arrived, the score was 5 — 4 to Linda, but forty minutes and innumerable deuces later, Carolyn won the first set 6/5.
But on to the tennis, which was fierce and occasionally furious. The top 14 players fought it out in the Singles tournament, played level and full 3 sets (no concessions made to bus pass carriers here). The other players took part in a Handicap Doubles, with preliminary round robin groups.
Friday saw the longest match of the tournament, possibly the longest match of any recent Ladies' tournament, at two and a half hours. Handover to our Paris correspondent, Gabrielle Smart, for the match report (to spare Linda Fairbrother's blushes):
After a long, tiring journey that took four hours more than it should have, I arrived at 5.15 on Friday to see Carolyn Nichols and Linda Fairbrother battling it out on court. Soon ensconced in the Dedans, I settled down for an absorbing hour — or so I thought…
When I arrived, the score was 5 — 4 to Linda, but forty minutes and innumerable deuces later, Carolyn won the first set 6/5.
Gabrielle Smart & Sarah Parsons
Oh well, we thought, what a pity Linda missed those set points… but never mind, perhaps Carolyn doesn't quite have the usual edge to her shots… and sure enough, after another HOUR…. Linda won the second set 6/5. Some restless movement ensued in the Dedans as people began easing their cramps and wondering how much longer these two indomitable players could go on scurrying around the court.
Well, it took another 50 minutes for Carolyn to decide that, really, chasing yet another ball into the corner was not on and Linda won the third set 6/4. There were never more than two games between them and the match lasted two and a half hours. A fantastic battle of skill and willpower. We in the dedans were exhausted, but Linda trotted off to change and join us for dinner as though nothing had happened. I mean, PERLEASE! In the other second round matches, Ros Hedges was playing strongly against Chantelle Harding and had match point in the second set with chase a yard to defend, but as she could not play beyond that round, she retired, putting Chantelle through. Linda Sheraton-Davies had great difficulty against Clare Weatherill who unleashed some formidable power at just the right moments, though Linda never gave up and played a solid steady game; Clare went through 6/2 6/1. And Sarah Parsons against Gabrielle Smart was another excellent game, punctuated by Sarah's howls of anguish every so often, of the sort normally heard only in an obstetrics ward. Gabrielle played excellent low, cut shots, but sent too many to Sarah's (leftie) forehand, while Sarah had more power to unleash and a fine double-handed backhand that coped with serves normally tricky for left-handers. The score didn't reflect the actual tussle, with Sarah winning 6/0 6/3.
In the quarter-final round of Singles, Chantelle had the dubious pleasure of meeting Sue Haswell, the defending Masters champion. But Chantelle forced Sue to play, getting back very well and laying good chases too. Sue had to remove her fleece, get down to business and counter her opponent's fighting spirit with lovely shots to the base of the tambour or gently dropped into a corner. The score again belies the actual exciting rests and gets: 6/0 6/0 to Sue. In the second quarter-final, Clare Wetherill against Sara Reston saw fine play by both. Clare tried to impose with power, while Sara stayed steady and used placing to her advantage, being particularly fond of aiming 2 shots to the backhand service corner, followed by a shorter killer to the forehand corner — cruel! Sara took the first set 6/4, and though Clare kept in touch in the second, she began to overhit under the pressure, with any higher ball being volleyed by Sara for a good chase. At 5/2, match point, Sara defending chase 4 won the point with a netcord shot that just dribbled over onto the hazard side, so she went through 6/4 6/2.
Well, it took another 50 minutes for Carolyn to decide that, really, chasing yet another ball into the corner was not on and Linda won the third set 6/4. There were never more than two games between them and the match lasted two and a half hours. A fantastic battle of skill and willpower. We in the dedans were exhausted, but Linda trotted off to change and join us for dinner as though nothing had happened. I mean, PERLEASE! In the other second round matches, Ros Hedges was playing strongly against Chantelle Harding and had match point in the second set with chase a yard to defend, but as she could not play beyond that round, she retired, putting Chantelle through. Linda Sheraton-Davies had great difficulty against Clare Weatherill who unleashed some formidable power at just the right moments, though Linda never gave up and played a solid steady game; Clare went through 6/2 6/1. And Sarah Parsons against Gabrielle Smart was another excellent game, punctuated by Sarah's howls of anguish every so often, of the sort normally heard only in an obstetrics ward. Gabrielle played excellent low, cut shots, but sent too many to Sarah's (leftie) forehand, while Sarah had more power to unleash and a fine double-handed backhand that coped with serves normally tricky for left-handers. The score didn't reflect the actual tussle, with Sarah winning 6/0 6/3.
In the quarter-final round of Singles, Chantelle had the dubious pleasure of meeting Sue Haswell, the defending Masters champion. But Chantelle forced Sue to play, getting back very well and laying good chases too. Sue had to remove her fleece, get down to business and counter her opponent's fighting spirit with lovely shots to the base of the tambour or gently dropped into a corner. The score again belies the actual exciting rests and gets: 6/0 6/0 to Sue. In the second quarter-final, Clare Wetherill against Sara Reston saw fine play by both. Clare tried to impose with power, while Sara stayed steady and used placing to her advantage, being particularly fond of aiming 2 shots to the backhand service corner, followed by a shorter killer to the forehand corner — cruel! Sara took the first set 6/4, and though Clare kept in touch in the second, she began to overhit under the pressure, with any higher ball being volleyed by Sara for a good chase. At 5/2, match point, Sara defending chase 4 won the point with a netcord shot that just dribbled over onto the hazard side, so she went through 6/4 6/2.
Tiff Fielden & Sarah Parsons
The third quarter-final had Linda Fairbrother (still suffering from her marathon the previous day) against Pam Tomalin. Pam came on court fired up and promptly took the first 2 games in fine style. Linda made a nervy and stiff start, but then got into her stride and began to move Pam around the court, to even things up to 3 all. After that, Pam began to hit less accurately and though she continued to fight in the rests, Linda eventually took the match 6/3 6/1.
In the final quarter, Sarah Parsons took on Tiffany Fielden. Despite a big handicap difference (around 13 points) Sarah gave more or less as good as she was getting, with exciting long rests, but of course Tiff was able to hang in for the extra shot each time to win the point. But Sarah kept going, taking Tiff by surprise at times with the power of her shots and pressing her into errors. She so nearly won a number of games, but each time Tiff dug a bit deeper to come back and we heard more proof of Sarah's admirable lung power as the points kept slipping out of her grasp. The score line didn't represent the fight: Tiff through 6/0 6/0.
In the final quarter, Sarah Parsons took on Tiffany Fielden. Despite a big handicap difference (around 13 points) Sarah gave more or less as good as she was getting, with exciting long rests, but of course Tiff was able to hang in for the extra shot each time to win the point. But Sarah kept going, taking Tiff by surprise at times with the power of her shots and pressing her into errors. She so nearly won a number of games, but each time Tiff dug a bit deeper to come back and we heard more proof of Sarah's admirable lung power as the points kept slipping out of her grasp. The score line didn't represent the fight: Tiff through 6/0 6/0.
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Tiff Fielden & Linda Fairbrother
So on to the semis. First up, Sara Reston versus Sue Haswell. It was a hard call, with Sara finding nothing that could harm Sue and getting stuck at the hazard end most of the time unable to lay any chases. She resorted to volleying, but under the pressure too many were tending to either stay high or pop up off the wall, leaving her vulnerable to Sue's next shot. Sue cleverly alternated powerful ground strokes with gentle little finesses into the corners and there was little Sara could manage to attack. She got one game in the first set, but as Sue got into her stride, wasn't allowed even one in the second: Sue through to the final.
And a similar story in the other semi, with Linda Fairbrother out-classed by Tiffany Fielden. Linda had difficulty with the length of Tiff's serve, so couldn't perform her usual trick of attacking services with a low return into a corner for a good chase. Her ground shots were over-hitting and Tiff took full advantage to slam them into the tambour rather often, though, like Sara, at least Linda got one game in the first set. But Tiff sails through, 6/1 6/0.
And a similar story in the other semi, with Linda Fairbrother out-classed by Tiffany Fielden. Linda had difficulty with the length of Tiff's serve, so couldn't perform her usual trick of attacking services with a low return into a corner for a good chase. Her ground shots were over-hitting and Tiff took full advantage to slam them into the tambour rather often, though, like Sara, at least Linda got one game in the first set. But Tiff sails through, 6/1 6/0.
Tiff Fielden & Sue Haswell
The first set of the final was a most entertaining spectacle. Tiffany Fielden had her trademark bouncy-kneed serve working well, while leftie Sue Haswell took a bit of time to get going (this time she took her top off right at the beginning — not taking any chances, obviously). Tiff's tenacity and excellent movement round the court was paying dividends, putting Sue under pressure especially on her backhand where she made a number of uncharacteristic errors. At 3 all, the dedans was settling down in anticipation of a good battle. But then Sue went up a gear, swinging her shoulders more into the ball and giving the shots a good old bash. Tiff hung in well, but you could feel she was now on the defensive and indeed she lost the set 3/6. The story continued into the second set. The first 3 games all went to deuce, but Sue took the vital points and after that the pressure was piled onto Tiff, who began to make errors in the rests. Sue's confidence grew, she gave the balls even more wellie, she stroked silky shots at the tambour and took the set and match in fine form to successfully defend her title 6/3 6/0.
In the Handicap Doubles tournaments, there were two round robins, with 3 pairs in each group (playing 3-set matches), followed by a Final between the two winning pairs.
Gill Goddard reports:
In the first group, some tough games played, with all three pairs digging deep to keep their games and sets alive. In the first match Katy Weston and Kate Rowe made sure that Dianne Binnie and Barbara Bush worked hard for their games to win 6/2 6/2, the score not reflecting the battles to win those points. Keeping on with a winning streak they won against Gill Goddard and Michelle Bucknell 6/3 6/5. However Gill and Michelle gave them a definite scare in taking it to the wire in the second set — it did look like this might have gone to 3 sets. The final match was academic but still played in strong competitive spirit — going for the runner- up position of our group with Dianne Binnie and Barbara Bush battling some long games to finally pip their opponents with a win of 6/5 6/5. What better way to spend a Friday afternoon — to play some very competitive and cliff hanger games at Hampton Court!
In the Handicap Doubles tournaments, there were two round robins, with 3 pairs in each group (playing 3-set matches), followed by a Final between the two winning pairs.
Gill Goddard reports:
In the first group, some tough games played, with all three pairs digging deep to keep their games and sets alive. In the first match Katy Weston and Kate Rowe made sure that Dianne Binnie and Barbara Bush worked hard for their games to win 6/2 6/2, the score not reflecting the battles to win those points. Keeping on with a winning streak they won against Gill Goddard and Michelle Bucknell 6/3 6/5. However Gill and Michelle gave them a definite scare in taking it to the wire in the second set — it did look like this might have gone to 3 sets. The final match was academic but still played in strong competitive spirit — going for the runner- up position of our group with Dianne Binnie and Barbara Bush battling some long games to finally pip their opponents with a win of 6/5 6/5. What better way to spend a Friday afternoon — to play some very competitive and cliff hanger games at Hampton Court!
And Candida Nicholls reports on the other round robin group:
Paula Wilson & Lucy Davies
In the first match, Lucy Davies and Paula Wilson with their strong volley took the first set, but Candida Nicholls and Elizabeth Mason found their stride and fought back for the second. In the third set Candida and Elizabeth had a run of good serves and played better together, storming ahead to win the match 5/6 6/4 6/1. In the second match, Lucy and Paula played Clare Stacey and Margaret Jones. Lucy and Paula were not fazed by a big handicap difference and won the first set comfortably. But Margaret, in her first LRTA tournament, improved with every game and by the second set was playing strongly. With Clare, she fought every game and they just snuck the second set 6/5. But in the final set, Lucy and Paula's experience really showed and they made no mistakes, had some fine serves and volleyed well into the tambour. They won the match 6/3 5/6 6/0.
In the final match of the round robin, Clare and Margaret were now playing well as a pair and Margaret's characteristic loud guffaw of enjoyment (whether winning or losing a point) began to be heard as she gained confidence in her abilities. Candida and Elizabeth did not really get into their stride till the second set, but were still making too many mistakes, not helped by the big handicap difference. Clare and Margaret won the match 6/2 6/4.
Well done to Clare and Margaret, but especially Margaret who improved considerably the more time she spent on court. Quote of the day from Margaret: "I can hit the ball properly but I don't always see why I should!" So say we all.
In the final match of the round robin, Clare and Margaret were now playing well as a pair and Margaret's characteristic loud guffaw of enjoyment (whether winning or losing a point) began to be heard as she gained confidence in her abilities. Candida and Elizabeth did not really get into their stride till the second set, but were still making too many mistakes, not helped by the big handicap difference. Clare and Margaret won the match 6/2 6/4.
Well done to Clare and Margaret, but especially Margaret who improved considerably the more time she spent on court. Quote of the day from Margaret: "I can hit the ball properly but I don't always see why I should!" So say we all.
Margaret Jones, Claire Stacey, Kate Rowe & Katy Weston
In the Finals, then, the two Katys - Rowe and Weston - met Clare Stacey and Margaret Jones, with a handicap 15/owe 15 in favour of Clare and Margaret. Despite the handicap points, the Katys played a steely game, steady as two rocks and mercilessly played on Margaret as the weaker of their two opponents. She, not surprisingly, began to feel the pressure and make mistakes, especially when boxed into the backhand side of the service end and we heard less of her infectious chuckle. At 7/3, the deal was sealed with a final hit to the Grille by Kate Rowe, so Kate Rowe and Katy Weston took the match 8/3.
Eight of the losing Singles players took part in a Plate Handicap Doubles (first to eight games), which also presented some great tennis. Linda Sheraton-Davis and Gabrielle Smart went against Lucy Davies and Sarah Parsons, in a very tight match, with all four players picking up low balls beautifully and contesting more or less every point. Linda and Gabrielle looked, however, like they were heading to victory at 7/3, but their opponents had different ideas and worked their way back to 7 all. The final game was understandably nervy, with both partnerships making uncharacteristic mistakes. But in the end Linda and Gabrielle managed to hang in to win the final game at last, 8/7.
Gabrielle Smart & Linda Sheraton-Davis
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Carolyn Armstrong-Smith, Kate Lawrence & Lucy Hutchinson
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In the other match, Pam Tomalin and Chantelle Harding played Lucy Hutchinson and Carolyn Armstrong-Smith. Pam and Chantelle's usually telepathic partnership deserted them and though it was entertaining in the Dedans to see 3 or 4 shouts of 'Yours' that left both stranded looking wistfully after the ball and also forces called 'In' when they were out and 'Out' when they were in, it took the stuffing out of the pair. They hung in to 5 all, but Carolyn kept on improving, Lucy stayed steady and 2 glorious forces from Carolyn to make it 7/5 was the end for Pam and Chantelle who lost 5/8.
In the Plate Final, it was neck and neck all the way to 5 all between the pairs: Linda S-D and Gabrielle versus Carolyn and Lucy H. Both sides got into a strange rhythm: alternating difficult low ground strokes to win a point, then at the next point, whopping the ball up high to give their opponents a nice present to put away and level up the game again. There was nothing in it, but then at 5 all, three mistakes from Gabrielle and Linda in an uncharacteristically loose game gave Lucy and Carolyn their chance to break free and eventually take the match 8/5.
The organization of this tournament was not without its difficulties — to say the least. So the organizer Katy Weston deserves the highest accolade for staying cool through all difficulties, with her little swan feet paddling like mad below, while all was calm and efficient above, as multiple versions of the draw kept coming off the production line both before and during the weekend. Our thanks also to Linda Sheraton-Davies and her team for the delicious food, to the RTC and members for allowing us to play and the pros - Nick Wood, Stefan King, Chris Chapman and Lesley Ronaldson — for excellent marking. Particular thanks to the sponsors Burnham Rosen and Pol Roger, to Sheila Macintosh for the prizes for the Singles finalists and to Kate Lawrence of the RTC for presenting the prizes.
Linda Fairbrother , Gabrielle Smart, Gill Goddard and Candida Nicholls.
In the Plate Final, it was neck and neck all the way to 5 all between the pairs: Linda S-D and Gabrielle versus Carolyn and Lucy H. Both sides got into a strange rhythm: alternating difficult low ground strokes to win a point, then at the next point, whopping the ball up high to give their opponents a nice present to put away and level up the game again. There was nothing in it, but then at 5 all, three mistakes from Gabrielle and Linda in an uncharacteristically loose game gave Lucy and Carolyn their chance to break free and eventually take the match 8/5.
The organization of this tournament was not without its difficulties — to say the least. So the organizer Katy Weston deserves the highest accolade for staying cool through all difficulties, with her little swan feet paddling like mad below, while all was calm and efficient above, as multiple versions of the draw kept coming off the production line both before and during the weekend. Our thanks also to Linda Sheraton-Davies and her team for the delicious food, to the RTC and members for allowing us to play and the pros - Nick Wood, Stefan King, Chris Chapman and Lesley Ronaldson — for excellent marking. Particular thanks to the sponsors Burnham Rosen and Pol Roger, to Sheila Macintosh for the prizes for the Singles finalists and to Kate Lawrence of the RTC for presenting the prizes.
Linda Fairbrother , Gabrielle Smart, Gill Goddard and Candida Nicholls.