Ladies Masters Report and Photos 2014
BRITISH LADIES MASTERS SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP 2014
28th to 30th March 2014 at the Holyport Real Tennis Club
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Katy Weston and Penny Lumley
 Handicap Doubles winners: Isabelle Riou and Mandie Holloway with Katy
Penny Lumley
Lucy Hutchinson
Chantelle Harding
Carolyn Armstrong-Smith and Bernadette Bidouze
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and supported by
Katy Weston and Jill Newby
Lucy Hutchinson and Liz Leach with Katy
Carolyn Armstrong-Smith
Katie Leppard
Isabelle Riou
Tiff Fielden
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Plate winners: Candida Nicholls and Ann Skelhorne with Katy
Annabel Wyatt and Di Wallace with Katy
Elvira Campione
Di Wallace
Elvira Campione
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Many thanks to Linda Fairbrother for a lovely collection of photos - sorry there isn't room for them all - and for editing as well as contributing most of the report below.
Liz Leach
Sixteen singles players were on the grid to play the Masters’ championship, a knock-out tournament for those aged 40 or over. All matches are played level to three full sets, which is a greater test of fitness for some players than others. This year, however, there was not quite the usual array of orthopaedic devices: some years it almost looks as if a knee brace is a compulsory accessory. In particular, the seeded players – who had byes for the first 2 rounds – looked ridiculously young and fit, whatever their birth certificates might say. And proved it in their play.
However, Katy Weston our organizer obviously decided that there was just not enough medical expertise on show and decided to do something about it. Instead of a ‘normal’ injury due to age and too many years of too many late nights, she sported the stiffest and largest elastoplast you’ve ever seen – fingers to elbow, braced and padded - after slicing open her hand a few days previously. One-handed, she coped splendidly with food provision, setting out of prizes, writing up of results and generally smoothing things along. But no tennis for her, alas. Welcome, however, once again to a strong French contingent, who nowadays have to travel far and wide to get a game until Bordeaux re-juvenates.
Eight players contested the first round on Friday, nearly all with handicaps in the 50s. First up were Liz Leach and Candida Nicholls. The first set was all Liz’s, with Candida not even making it back to the service end for the last three games. The second set started differently with Candida fighting back and dominating more often and it looked like it was going to go to three sets. But Liz then found her railroad serves and with long rests and lots of deuces there was lots of entertainment for the spectators. Liz kept her touch and took the second set and the match, 6/1 6/4.
However, Katy Weston our organizer obviously decided that there was just not enough medical expertise on show and decided to do something about it. Instead of a ‘normal’ injury due to age and too many years of too many late nights, she sported the stiffest and largest elastoplast you’ve ever seen – fingers to elbow, braced and padded - after slicing open her hand a few days previously. One-handed, she coped splendidly with food provision, setting out of prizes, writing up of results and generally smoothing things along. But no tennis for her, alas. Welcome, however, once again to a strong French contingent, who nowadays have to travel far and wide to get a game until Bordeaux re-juvenates.
Eight players contested the first round on Friday, nearly all with handicaps in the 50s. First up were Liz Leach and Candida Nicholls. The first set was all Liz’s, with Candida not even making it back to the service end for the last three games. The second set started differently with Candida fighting back and dominating more often and it looked like it was going to go to three sets. But Liz then found her railroad serves and with long rests and lots of deuces there was lots of entertainment for the spectators. Liz kept her touch and took the second set and the match, 6/1 6/4.
Linda Sheraton-Davis
In the next match, Linda Sheraton Davis stormed ahead of Carolyn Armstrong-Smith, rapidly advancing to 3/0 and then 5/1, at which point Carolyn enquired of the dedans whether she should just concede the set now and conserve her energy for the next. With it gone, however, she had no better luck in the second, as Linda was not giving an inch and won 3 games again before conceding one to Carolyn. Deep returns by Linda and varied serving made it difficult for Carolyn, despite her good reach and heroic running. Linda took the match 6/2 6/1. A tough three setter then followed between (former) Bordeaux member Bernadette Bidouze and Chantelle Harding. The first set was a nail-biter with both players engaged in big hitting ground strokes, but just taken by Bernadette 6/5. Chantelle then came storming back to put pressure on her opponent, who began to make mistakes when pushed from side to side, so that Chantelle levelled 6/2. But she had shot her bolt, and Bernadette knuckled down steadily to take the final set and the match, 6/5 2/6 6/0.
The final match in this round (Lucy Hutchinson v Ann Skelhorne) was the longest match of the tournament: closely fought with some surprises. Lucy managed a winning gallery, and when ‘encouraged’ by the dedans to produce another in the next point, promptly did so – much to her own and everyone else’s surprise! Ann retaliated with a force into the dedans, and in the end, she triumphed by a whisker, recovering from love 30 down in the last game to beat Lucy 6/4 4/6 6/5. A great match.
The final match in this round (Lucy Hutchinson v Ann Skelhorne) was the longest match of the tournament: closely fought with some surprises. Lucy managed a winning gallery, and when ‘encouraged’ by the dedans to produce another in the next point, promptly did so – much to her own and everyone else’s surprise! Ann retaliated with a force into the dedans, and in the end, she triumphed by a whisker, recovering from love 30 down in the last game to beat Lucy 6/4 4/6 6/5. A great match.
Carolyn Nicholls
In the second round, four players with handicaps in the 40s played the previous round’s winners. First up, Carolyn Nicholls met Liz Leach. The first set went to Carolyn, who was playing very steadily and making it look easy. In the second set, Liz started strongly with tighter serves and took the first game, but Carolyn was laying some very close chases and returning everything with perfect length. Liz was allowed only one more game though she tried her valiant best, so Carolyn went through, 6/1 6/2.
Linda Sheraton-Davis and Pam Tomalin were evenly matched in handicap and not surprisingly, evenly-matched on court, with long rests and careful chases. Pam took the first set 6/3, but Linda came back for the second 6/4. By the start of the third, both players looked tired, sending the ball up in the air and making errors. Deuce followed deuce. There was little to choose between them, up to 3/4 to Pam. By now, both were leaving balls landing up the sides and moving slowly between points. But Pam with two good serves pushed the score line to 5/3. There were then three great rests in a row, as Linda desperately hung on, but at 40/30 Pam was defending Chase worse than 3 and Linda just couldn’t make it any more. Pam wins, 6/3 4/6 6/3.
Linda Sheraton-Davis and Pam Tomalin were evenly matched in handicap and not surprisingly, evenly-matched on court, with long rests and careful chases. Pam took the first set 6/3, but Linda came back for the second 6/4. By the start of the third, both players looked tired, sending the ball up in the air and making errors. Deuce followed deuce. There was little to choose between them, up to 3/4 to Pam. By now, both were leaving balls landing up the sides and moving slowly between points. But Pam with two good serves pushed the score line to 5/3. There were then three great rests in a row, as Linda desperately hung on, but at 40/30 Pam was defending Chase worse than 3 and Linda just couldn’t make it any more. Pam wins, 6/3 4/6 6/3.
Katie Leppard and Bernadette Bidouze
Against Katie Leppard (looking formidably in form), Bernadette Bidouze had no answers. Any high shot was attacked mercilessly and Bernadette could not cope with Katie’s power. As the match progressed, she began to see Katie’s leftie railroad serve better and quite often succeeded in volleying it, but once in a rest, Katie delivered the final shot nearly every time. By the second set, many games were going to deuce, and Bernadette’s serve was now giving Katie some trouble, but the outcome was never really in doubt: Katie went through 6/0 6/2.
In the final game of this second round, Linda Fairbrother took on Ann Skelhorne. Linda was not playing her best game, putting too many balls up, and was continually on the back foot with the score. But each time she was 15/40 or even 0/40 down, she somehow managed to cling on and eventually scrape out the game, winning ugly in the rests. The first set was an unfair 6/1 and all went similarly in the second, till at 5/1 to Linda, Ann began to throw everything into her play, won the next game and very nearly the next. But Linda laid two good chases, and at 40/15 was not to be denied the match, 6/1 6/2.
In the final game of this second round, Linda Fairbrother took on Ann Skelhorne. Linda was not playing her best game, putting too many balls up, and was continually on the back foot with the score. But each time she was 15/40 or even 0/40 down, she somehow managed to cling on and eventually scrape out the game, winning ugly in the rests. The first set was an unfair 6/1 and all went similarly in the second, till at 5/1 to Linda, Ann began to throw everything into her play, won the next game and very nearly the next. But Linda laid two good chases, and at 40/15 was not to be denied the match, 6/1 6/2.
Elvira Campione
In the quarters, the big shots made their appearance: Elvira Campione, Tiffany Fielden, Jill Newby and defending Masters champion Penny Lumley. First up were Carolyn Nicholls against Penny Lumley. Carolyn played her usual steady game low into the corners but was simply out-classed as Penny seemed to gracefully make her way to always the exact spot the ball was heading, and returned it to cut into a far corner. She went through 6/0 6/0.
Pam Tomalin against Elvira Campione was another apparently effortless victory by the better player. Pam fought like a tiger, but Elvira’s double-handed volleys did the business time and time again and though Pam began to find her game half way through the first set, hitting beautifully into the corners and serving well too, Elvira hunkered down and also went for the corners, far out of her opponent’s reach, to take the set 6/2. Elvira continued with great length on her ground strokes in the second set, though Pam fought back with good chases and corner ground strokes herself. But though Elvira looked as if she was about to burst into tears most of the time, she actually had nothing to worry about and turned up the pressure to take the set and the match, 6/2 6/1.
Pam Tomalin against Elvira Campione was another apparently effortless victory by the better player. Pam fought like a tiger, but Elvira’s double-handed volleys did the business time and time again and though Pam began to find her game half way through the first set, hitting beautifully into the corners and serving well too, Elvira hunkered down and also went for the corners, far out of her opponent’s reach, to take the set 6/2. Elvira continued with great length on her ground strokes in the second set, though Pam fought back with good chases and corner ground strokes herself. But though Elvira looked as if she was about to burst into tears most of the time, she actually had nothing to worry about and turned up the pressure to take the set and the match, 6/2 6/1.
Tiff Fielden
There followed the closest match of this round, when Katie Leppard gave Tiffany Fielden quite a fright, despite there supposedly being 10 handicap points between them. Katie came out with her railroad serve in perfect order and going for all the shots, while Tiff was somewhat tentative. There was very little in it, and with Tiff at 5/4, Katie was cool as a cucumber in winning the next game to love, evening it up to 5 all. Katie was just ahead in the deciding game, but Tiff laid two excellent chases, which took her into the lead and she then sealed it 6/5. The dedans was now in an excited state – it had been so close, so could Katie somehow sneak the second set? At first, it looked all over, as Tiff won the deciding points in a succession of deuce games to go ahead 4/0. But Katie then took the next four games, to level up to 4 all. Nail biting stuff. 5/4 to Tiffany, and then 30/40 to her. A great mid-court shot down the backhand side, and she takes the second set and the match 6/5 6/4. It so easily could have been the other way round.
In the final match of the quarters, Linda Fairbrother took on Jill Newby. Linda had nothing to lose, with 15 points between them, so came out all guns blazing and found herself in the seventh game, 3 all and 40/0 up. That was as good as it got, however, as Jill got into her stride, to snatch that game back and then the set 6/3. Linda played well above herself, making good chases and never giving up, but Jill was too good at playing beautifully paced shots wherever Linda wasn’t, and allowed her no more games, Jill through 6/3 6/0.
In the final match of the quarters, Linda Fairbrother took on Jill Newby. Linda had nothing to lose, with 15 points between them, so came out all guns blazing and found herself in the seventh game, 3 all and 40/0 up. That was as good as it got, however, as Jill got into her stride, to snatch that game back and then the set 6/3. Linda played well above herself, making good chases and never giving up, but Jill was too good at playing beautifully paced shots wherever Linda wasn’t, and allowed her no more games, Jill through 6/3 6/0.
Penny Lumley
In the semi-finals, Penny met Elvira, who surprised everyone by promptly putting the first service return of the game smack into the dedans. A few points later, a freaky shot by Penny from the hazard end crept along the base of the gallery posts but never actually hit anything. Elvira watched in disbelief, but once she realized it was clean, she hit a superb shot bang under the grille. First blood to Elvira. Penny now realized what she had to face, and turned on her own power, making Elvira rush her shots, and giving her no opportunity to put her devastating volleys into action. The games were close, but Penny kept winning them relentlessly, and took the first set 6/1. The same story in the second set as Elvira, not surprisingly, started to tense up and try too hard. Game followed game for Penny, though Elvira carried on making her play, moving her around and keeping in the rests as best she could. At 4/0, a perfect shot by Elvira from the Hazard end, travelled low down the backhand wall with a first bounce 6 inches off the ground at about half a yard. Somehow Penny played it back, hugging the wall back again, to land in the far corner, and win the game 5/0. A last ditch stand by Elvira winning two chases of 3 yards gave her another game at last. But that was it, and Penny took the final game comfortably to win 6/1 6/1. A fine effort by Elvira.
Jill Newby
In the second semi, Jill Newby met Tiffany. Jill gave no quarter at first, cutting the ball beautifully and returning everything with apparently the minimum of effort into un-gettable places. At 5/0 to Jill, Tiff began to find her range and laid some good chases to take the next two games 2/5. She nearly took the next, too, being 40/0 up, but her next three shots went too high, allowing Jill to attack them, level the game, and then take it and the first set, 6/2. In the second set, Jill kept tight and low, with her short back swing making it very difficult for her opponent to work out where the ball was going. As things continued her way, Jill began to go for bolder shots, stepping in to volley onto the tambour from mid-court. Nothing was now working for Tiff; even her good shots were just finding the net or the gallery posts. A lot of scampering finally gave her a game in this set, but Jill was twice as clinical in the next game to take it to 5/1. Two unforced errors by Tiff put Jill 40/0 up. And then defending Chase better than 4, she plonked the ball into the net to give Jill the victory 6/2 6/1.
Jill Newby and Penny Lumley before the final
The final between Penny Lumley and Jill Newby was a lesson to all in the dedans on how to play tennis, with a marvellous display of skill by both players, but dominated by Penny’s craft - and craftiness. She began by a series of aggressive returns of serve into the forehand service corner and never let up. However good Jill’s shots were, the ball kept coming back, many dying into a corner, or finding the nick or landing right at Jill’s feet. Jill had to work so hard to win any point. There were exhausting rests, amazing saves and scrambles, superb shots in the corner – and no games to show for it. The first set to Penny 6/0.
In the second, at 2/0 down, Jill in a heartfelt communication to the dedans muttered: ‘It’s supposed to be a game for two people’, and we all could only sympathise. But at 3/0, Jill finally got ahead in a game, and with two great dedans defences and a hit to the tambour behind Penny, she at last very deservedly got on the scoreboard to cheers from the spectators. Penny’s reply was to start the next game with a shot to the winning gallery. But Jill continued to give it her all and at 4/1, got herself to 40/15, with a chase 1 and 2 to attack. A great lob by Jill was about to fall better than a yard, but Penny got it out and won the point. However Jill hung in and took the game to make it 2/4. She was now looking quite tired, not surprisingly, though still covering the court well, while Penny still looked fragrant as a snowdrop. To cheers, Jill managed one more game, and fought to the last, but Penny could not be stopped and retained her Masters title 6/0 6/3.
Report by Linda Fairbrother, Candida Nicholls and Lucy Hutchinson
In the second, at 2/0 down, Jill in a heartfelt communication to the dedans muttered: ‘It’s supposed to be a game for two people’, and we all could only sympathise. But at 3/0, Jill finally got ahead in a game, and with two great dedans defences and a hit to the tambour behind Penny, she at last very deservedly got on the scoreboard to cheers from the spectators. Penny’s reply was to start the next game with a shot to the winning gallery. But Jill continued to give it her all and at 4/1, got herself to 40/15, with a chase 1 and 2 to attack. A great lob by Jill was about to fall better than a yard, but Penny got it out and won the point. However Jill hung in and took the game to make it 2/4. She was now looking quite tired, not surprisingly, though still covering the court well, while Penny still looked fragrant as a snowdrop. To cheers, Jill managed one more game, and fought to the last, but Penny could not be stopped and retained her Masters title 6/0 6/3.
Report by Linda Fairbrother, Candida Nicholls and Lucy Hutchinson
Annabel Wyatt
HANDICAP DOUBLES
6 pairs contested the Handicap Doubles which took place over the weekend of the Masters Singles. There were two groups of three pairs who played in a round robin; the winning pair of each group then played in the final.
In the first group, Annabel Wyatt with Diana Wallace first took on Gill Goddard with Diane Binnie, who stepped in as under-study for the injured Katy Weston. This was a very close match with no obvious winner till the end. Both pairs provided a good fight, and games were level pegging till a final push by Wyatt and Wallace took them to an 8/6 victory.
The next match was between the previous winners and Sarah McGivern with Lisa Stewart. An even closer match ensued, with our newer players to the competition, Lisa and Diana (who are used to playing against each other on their home court) now battling it out with ‘foreign’ partners in doubles. At 7 all, whoever was going to win the final game would be the likely winner of the group. The winning shot by Annabel went straight into the dedans and was a great finish to such a close-run thing.
The final match in this round robin was between Diane Binnie with Gill Goddard against Sarah McGivern and Lisa Stewart. In this game, the formidable Sarah found her serve length tying up her opponent and was well-supported by Lisa. Whilst the score was truly one-sided, there were some great shots, with the superior pair of McGivern and Stewart winning convincingly 8/0.
Mandie Holloway
In the other round robin, firstly Lucy Davies with Audrey Perie played Isabelle Riou and Mandie Holloway. This was a close match, with Lucy and Audrey serving well and going for the tambour. But at 6 all, Isabelle’s winning gallery shot took her and Mandie to 7/6 and at 40/40 match point, facing hazard a half, Isabelle found the grille and they took the match 8/6.
The second match was also a close match, but Jeannette Guardia and Jane Rowlands had difficulty with returning serve against Lucy and Audrey, who took the match 8/7.
So Jeanette and Jane against Isabelle and Mandie would decide the group winner. But Isabelle and Mandie, with 8 games already under their belt, were in no mood to give up the rubber, and hit strongly and effectively to win 8/6 and go through to the final.
The second match was also a close match, but Jeannette Guardia and Jane Rowlands had difficulty with returning serve against Lucy and Audrey, who took the match 8/7.
So Jeanette and Jane against Isabelle and Mandie would decide the group winner. But Isabelle and Mandie, with 8 games already under their belt, were in no mood to give up the rubber, and hit strongly and effectively to win 8/6 and go through to the final.
Isabelle Riou, Mandie Holloway, Annabel Wyatt, Di Wallace
The Sunday Handicap Doubles final was another fine contest. Both pairs played steadily and there were some reasonable rests, but all four players tended to commit unforced errors after the ball had been hit four or five times, bringing the rest to an end. Play progressed up to 5/4 to Mandie and Isabelle. Both pairs were still playing steadily but not ambitiously and there was very little in it, but Mandie and Isabelle had a few lucky breaks and the score crept up to 7/4. But it most definitely was not over as the lucky breaks started to go the other way and the score edged up to 7/6. It so nearly went to 7 all, but at 40 all, Isabelle went for the knockout blow and won the game and the match with a fine shot into the dedans; 8/6 to Holloway and Riou.
Candida Nicholls, Ann Skelhorne, Liz Leach, Lucy Hutchinson
In the Plate Doubles final, Candida Nicholls and Ann Skelhorne met Lucy Hutchinson and Liz Leach. This was an equal match with both pairs playing strong and true. But Candida and Ann were making just a few fewer errors and putting a touch more on the ball. At 4/1, play began to get rather frightening with the ball thumping around from all racquets: “Not playing with their heads”, remarked someone in the dedans and it was true, with Liz and Lucy with most to lose as they got sucked in to the bish-bosh exchanges. The score line carried on against them, up to 6/2 and then 7/2. The final rally at 40 all represented most of the match: not pretty, but effective work by Candida and Ann, achieving just that little bit more power and able to rattle Lucy and Liz with effective topspin. They won 8/2.
Report by Linda Fairbrother with Gill Goddard, Lucy Hutchinson and Candida Nicholls.
Our thanks to the sponsor Burnham Rosen Group and Sheila Macintosh who donated the prizes. Holyport Club very kindly hosted the tournament and their professionals Andy Chinneck and Chris Bray did the long and exhausting marking. Major thanks to Katy Weston for all the organizing, not forgetting Jill Newby and others who helped her with the delicious lunches and cakes.
Our thanks to the sponsor Burnham Rosen Group and Sheila Macintosh who donated the prizes. Holyport Club very kindly hosted the tournament and their professionals Andy Chinneck and Chris Bray did the long and exhausting marking. Major thanks to Katy Weston for all the organizing, not forgetting Jill Newby and others who helped her with the delicious lunches and cakes.