Ladies World Championships 2015
THE LADIES WORLD SINGLES AND DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIPS
(and Handicap Doubles)
held at
The Leamington Tennis Court Club
Monday 13th to Sunday 19th April 2015
Sponsored by
Amey, Building
& Plumbing Supplies,
Pol Roger, Regent
Solutions, The Kitchen Furniture Company,
Bath Pig, Suzuki
and also supported by Anonymous Donors
Singles winner: Claire Fahey
Doubles winner: Claire Fahey & Sarah Vigrass
Doubles winner: Claire Fahey & Sarah Vigrass
Ladies Real Tennis World Championships 2015
13th to 19th April 2015
HRH The Earl of Wessex with Alex Garside, LRTA Chairman - Photo: Peter Rowe Photography
What a show! Fifty-two contestants, which included ten winners of various Open Single and Doubles tournaments, four of whom were former or current World Champions – quite an array of talent, and well worth waiting eight years to experience on British soil. There were many superb matches, and also some spectacular young talent on court, which bodes well for the future of Ladies’ tennis.
We were also honoured by a visit from HRH the Earl of Wessex, who is of course a player himself. He watched both the Singles and Doubles Finals, as well as attending lunch and presenting the prizes afterwards. It was a great pleasure to welcome him to the Ladies’ premier event, to see how wonderful Ladies’ tennis can be.
Mind you, it could all have gone horribly wrong when, after her fluorescent pink and green trainers worn at the British Open in the previous week, Claire turned up in yet another brightly coloured pair of shoes – this time peacock blue. Given Leamington’s fine history as a stickler for tradition, would the Whites Police drag her off court? Or might Prince Edward regard the colour as lèse-majesté and send her to the Tower before she could defend her titles? But despite concern in the dedans, he obviously was keener to see some superb tennis than exercise any royal prerogative.
Also of interest to a geneticist (should any have attended the event) was the number of relatives playing high quality tennis: the Vigrass sisters of course, but also the three sets of mother and daughter – Penny and Tara Lumley, Alex and Jess Garside, and Lucie Douwes Dekker and Saskia Bollerman. Nature or nurture? I think someone should look into this.
Unfortunately, due to illness, Norman Hyde was unable to promote his Real Tennis Jewellery during the Championships. If anyone is interested in purchasing any of the items he offers, the website is http://www.silversports.co.uk/ where photos of the items are available. Norman can also be contacted by email: [email protected] or office phone: 01926 430562
We were also honoured by a visit from HRH the Earl of Wessex, who is of course a player himself. He watched both the Singles and Doubles Finals, as well as attending lunch and presenting the prizes afterwards. It was a great pleasure to welcome him to the Ladies’ premier event, to see how wonderful Ladies’ tennis can be.
Mind you, it could all have gone horribly wrong when, after her fluorescent pink and green trainers worn at the British Open in the previous week, Claire turned up in yet another brightly coloured pair of shoes – this time peacock blue. Given Leamington’s fine history as a stickler for tradition, would the Whites Police drag her off court? Or might Prince Edward regard the colour as lèse-majesté and send her to the Tower before she could defend her titles? But despite concern in the dedans, he obviously was keener to see some superb tennis than exercise any royal prerogative.
Also of interest to a geneticist (should any have attended the event) was the number of relatives playing high quality tennis: the Vigrass sisters of course, but also the three sets of mother and daughter – Penny and Tara Lumley, Alex and Jess Garside, and Lucie Douwes Dekker and Saskia Bollerman. Nature or nurture? I think someone should look into this.
Unfortunately, due to illness, Norman Hyde was unable to promote his Real Tennis Jewellery during the Championships. If anyone is interested in purchasing any of the items he offers, the website is http://www.silversports.co.uk/ where photos of the items are available. Norman can also be contacted by email: [email protected] or office phone: 01926 430562
Saskia Bollerman - Photo: Peter Rowe Photography
Singles Tournament
The thirty-six who started the Singles tournament were soon whittled down to the last eight with little fuss. The eight seeds only dropped 18 games between them on the way to the Quarter-finals, with Sarah Vigrass, the number two, only dropping nine games right up to the Final, and Claire Fahey, the top seed, just one.
The seed with the hardest job seemed to be Harriet Ingham, who first faced the talented French player Cecile Alchuteguy, beating her 6/1 6/1, and then met former World Champion Sally Jones who took 3 games off her.
Alex Garside also had a fight on her hands in the first round against Dutch player Saskia Bollerman. Though the eventual score of 6/0 6/0 makes it look as if Alex’s task was easy, in fact Saskia hit low, hard and accurate; and it took all Alex’s craft, hitting with power into the corners, to keep her at bay. Sure enough, Saskia went on to great things in the Plate competition.
So all eight seeds had no trouble getting to the Quarters; and the top seeds continued to justify their rankings on the way to the Semis, with again very few games dropped. Claire beat Tara Lumley without losing a game; Freddy Adam beat Alex Garside 6/2/ 6/4; Penny Lumley beat young player Irina Dulbish 6/1 6/1; and Sarah Vigrass beat the other young seed Harriet Ingham 6/2 6/3.
The thirty-six who started the Singles tournament were soon whittled down to the last eight with little fuss. The eight seeds only dropped 18 games between them on the way to the Quarter-finals, with Sarah Vigrass, the number two, only dropping nine games right up to the Final, and Claire Fahey, the top seed, just one.
The seed with the hardest job seemed to be Harriet Ingham, who first faced the talented French player Cecile Alchuteguy, beating her 6/1 6/1, and then met former World Champion Sally Jones who took 3 games off her.
Alex Garside also had a fight on her hands in the first round against Dutch player Saskia Bollerman. Though the eventual score of 6/0 6/0 makes it look as if Alex’s task was easy, in fact Saskia hit low, hard and accurate; and it took all Alex’s craft, hitting with power into the corners, to keep her at bay. Sure enough, Saskia went on to great things in the Plate competition.
So all eight seeds had no trouble getting to the Quarters; and the top seeds continued to justify their rankings on the way to the Semis, with again very few games dropped. Claire beat Tara Lumley without losing a game; Freddy Adam beat Alex Garside 6/2/ 6/4; Penny Lumley beat young player Irina Dulbish 6/1 6/1; and Sarah Vigrass beat the other young seed Harriet Ingham 6/2 6/3.
Claire Fahey and Freddy Adam -
Photo: Candida Nicholls
In the first semi-final, Freddy met Claire. Freddy must have been pleased to start at the service end; however, Claire instantly fired two returns straight into the dedans, and very quickly had the first two games under her belt. In the third game the tables turned and Freddy was dominating the service end to win the game. But soon it was 4/1 and 5/1 to Claire, at which point Freddy produced some excellent defending of the galleries, covering the court at speed, and directed a beautiful shot into the winning gallery, taking the game to deuce. However Claire was consistently returning everything with interest and moving Freddy from side to side, and the World number one won the game and the first set 6/1. The second set started with Freddy holding her nerve and she placed a tight shot into the corner which was surely unreturnable; but Claire dug it out like a true champion and returned it with pace at a sharp angle across the net, winning the first game. There was excellent tennis for the spectators with Freddy fighting point after point, but Claire showed she was in a league of her own and soon it was 5-0. Freddy continued to produce shots that most of us can only dream of playing, but Claire was almost always there to return them with strength and tenacity. It was 40-15 with Claire defending a chase better than 2, when she delivered an unreturnable serve, winning the match 6/1 6/0.
Sarah Vigrass and Penny Lumley - Photo: Candida Nicholls
In the second semi-final, Sarah Vigrass played Penny Lumley.
Penny started strongly from the receiving end, and won the first game. In the second, Sarah showed she would not be dominated and it was soon 1 all. The score line continued in Sarah’s favour to 3/1 but from the dedans this was not looking like a one sided game, with every point being hard fought. Both players then gave us an excellent demonstration of winning shots, with Penny firing a shot into the dedans, followed by Sarah targeting the grille. Sarah was winning the games, however, taking it to 5/1. The next game included many excellent rests with both players digging out shot after shot from the corners. But Sarah was not deterred and won the first set by hammering the ball into the dedans. The second set started looking like an even battle, with some oohs and ahhhs from the spectators as Penny missed the grille by just a whisker on two occasions. However Sarah was still winning the points and it was now 2/0 to her, consistently hitting everything at the tambour or very tight into the corners. Penny replied by making Sarah fight hard for every point and forcing her to make mistakes, but Sarah continued to win each game, taking the set 6/0.
This was an excellent match with Penny showing that the skill of a previous world champion is still very much present in her game.
Penny started strongly from the receiving end, and won the first game. In the second, Sarah showed she would not be dominated and it was soon 1 all. The score line continued in Sarah’s favour to 3/1 but from the dedans this was not looking like a one sided game, with every point being hard fought. Both players then gave us an excellent demonstration of winning shots, with Penny firing a shot into the dedans, followed by Sarah targeting the grille. Sarah was winning the games, however, taking it to 5/1. The next game included many excellent rests with both players digging out shot after shot from the corners. But Sarah was not deterred and won the first set by hammering the ball into the dedans. The second set started looking like an even battle, with some oohs and ahhhs from the spectators as Penny missed the grille by just a whisker on two occasions. However Sarah was still winning the points and it was now 2/0 to her, consistently hitting everything at the tambour or very tight into the corners. Penny replied by making Sarah fight hard for every point and forcing her to make mistakes, but Sarah continued to win each game, taking the set 6/0.
This was an excellent match with Penny showing that the skill of a previous world champion is still very much present in her game.
Sarah Vigrass - Photo: Peter Rowe Photography
As expected, the two sisters Claire Fahey and Sarah Vigrass met in yet another Final of a major tournament.
First - and indeed, second – blood went to Sarah, who took the first two games. She nearly won the next too, but at 30/0 up, fluffed a relatively easy mid-court shot, and then double faulted. In fact, there was a pattern of Sarah performing two or three great winners, followed immediately by two or three unforced errors. However, she did manage to stay ahead up to 3/1 in her favour. But then Claire began to use her power, and go for the winning openings, varied by beautifully crafted shots into a corner or under the grille. The games started going her way: 2/3, 3 all, 4/3.
By this time, a pattern of shots was emerging. Claire would serve, Sarah hits into the backhand corner, Claire plays a backhand that hits the side-wall just above the net, Sarah hits into the service end backhand corner again…. And so it goes on, until one or other gets a chance to take a slightly higher ball and slam it into a corner or an opening. We saw more errors from Claire than we are used to, as she had to play to tighter margins, but the games were all going her way now, and she took the set 6/3.
First - and indeed, second – blood went to Sarah, who took the first two games. She nearly won the next too, but at 30/0 up, fluffed a relatively easy mid-court shot, and then double faulted. In fact, there was a pattern of Sarah performing two or three great winners, followed immediately by two or three unforced errors. However, she did manage to stay ahead up to 3/1 in her favour. But then Claire began to use her power, and go for the winning openings, varied by beautifully crafted shots into a corner or under the grille. The games started going her way: 2/3, 3 all, 4/3.
By this time, a pattern of shots was emerging. Claire would serve, Sarah hits into the backhand corner, Claire plays a backhand that hits the side-wall just above the net, Sarah hits into the service end backhand corner again…. And so it goes on, until one or other gets a chance to take a slightly higher ball and slam it into a corner or an opening. We saw more errors from Claire than we are used to, as she had to play to tighter margins, but the games were all going her way now, and she took the set 6/3.
Claire Fahey - Photo: Peter Rowe Photography
In the second set, both came out fizzing. There were fantastic rests, with booming shots being traded and impossible retrievals from both. It was a superb display of tennis, with brains and brawn on display – sometimes a point was won with a wham-dinger; sometimes a gentle disguised poke to the base of the tambour or into a gallery. But the games were still going Claire’s way, until a nail-biter at 4/0. Sarah got herself to 30/0, and then another point with a mid-pace backhand that died on the tambour. 40/0 – could she get a game at last? Claire retrieved one point, then at 40/15 to Sarah, Claire served to defend Hazard Chase Worse than 2. Sarah slammed the ball into the backhand corner, and got herself to 1/4. But that was that – Claire moved on majestically to 5/1, and then at 40/15, it was all over, and she had successfully defended her Champion’s title once more – the undisputed best lady player of Real Tennis – ever.
Alex Brodie and Nicola Doble - Photo: Candida Nicholls
Open Doubles Tournament
Eighteen pairs took part in the Doubles tournament, with four main rounds and two preliminary matches. Some were long-term pairings, such as the Lumleys and the Garsides, as well of course as Claire Fahey and Sarah Vigrass defending their title won in Paris in 2015. Others were new, such as Sally Jones joining up with Louise Mercier. Again, as in the Singles, there were no surprises in the first round, though young Oxford players Isabel Hunt and Claire Bucknell gave a great account of themselves against Alex Brodie and Nicola Doble, losing gamely 6/3 6/4. And Tiff Fielden with Elvira Campione also played a fine match against Sue Haswell and Harriet Ingham. Initially outpowered, Tiff and Elvira fought back (with a few yelps of frustration from Elvira along the way) and kept themselves in the rests with great credit. Alas for them, they were winning lots of points but having great difficulty in converting them into games, so the final score, 6/1, 6/1 to Sue and Harriet belied the closeness of the contest.
In the Quarter Finals, Claire Fahey and Sarah Vigrass looked relaxed and calm against Jill Newby and Sara Metherell. So much so, that when Claire stopped play to adjust her headband, a joker in the dedans declared that this was nothing to do with sweat, but that she was just checking that her sponsor’s logo was absolutely straight. The two sisters smiled and giggled if one or other made an error, but knuckled down at the business end of each game to win comfortably 6/1 6/1. The closest match was between Alex and Jess Garside against Freddy Adam and Irina Dulbish. Superb volleying and great teamwork by both pairs led to some great rests. As the evening crept on, and wine flowed in the dedans, the games crept up – after forty minutes of play it was still 4 all; and then 5 all. Three great shots in a row by Freddy, and then a Hazard Chase, gave her and Irina the set 6/5. At the start of the second set , Alex and Jess were just giving a few more opportunities to their opponents to attack the ball, and the games slipped away – Freddy and Irina went through 6/5 6/0 with a score that doesn’t do justice to the closeness of play throughout.
Eighteen pairs took part in the Doubles tournament, with four main rounds and two preliminary matches. Some were long-term pairings, such as the Lumleys and the Garsides, as well of course as Claire Fahey and Sarah Vigrass defending their title won in Paris in 2015. Others were new, such as Sally Jones joining up with Louise Mercier. Again, as in the Singles, there were no surprises in the first round, though young Oxford players Isabel Hunt and Claire Bucknell gave a great account of themselves against Alex Brodie and Nicola Doble, losing gamely 6/3 6/4. And Tiff Fielden with Elvira Campione also played a fine match against Sue Haswell and Harriet Ingham. Initially outpowered, Tiff and Elvira fought back (with a few yelps of frustration from Elvira along the way) and kept themselves in the rests with great credit. Alas for them, they were winning lots of points but having great difficulty in converting them into games, so the final score, 6/1, 6/1 to Sue and Harriet belied the closeness of the contest.
In the Quarter Finals, Claire Fahey and Sarah Vigrass looked relaxed and calm against Jill Newby and Sara Metherell. So much so, that when Claire stopped play to adjust her headband, a joker in the dedans declared that this was nothing to do with sweat, but that she was just checking that her sponsor’s logo was absolutely straight. The two sisters smiled and giggled if one or other made an error, but knuckled down at the business end of each game to win comfortably 6/1 6/1. The closest match was between Alex and Jess Garside against Freddy Adam and Irina Dulbish. Superb volleying and great teamwork by both pairs led to some great rests. As the evening crept on, and wine flowed in the dedans, the games crept up – after forty minutes of play it was still 4 all; and then 5 all. Three great shots in a row by Freddy, and then a Hazard Chase, gave her and Irina the set 6/5. At the start of the second set , Alex and Jess were just giving a few more opportunities to their opponents to attack the ball, and the games slipped away – Freddy and Irina went through 6/5 6/0 with a score that doesn’t do justice to the closeness of play throughout.
Sue Haswell and Harriet Ingham - Photo: Candida Nicholls
In the other quarters, again there was an apparent equality of play in both matches. Penny and Tara Lumley against Sally Jones and Louise Mercier just had the edge, especially in volley interchanges, and went through 6/2 6/1.
The fourth quarter was an interesting battle with all players coming from high achieving histories at 'other' racket games: Nicola Doble (Badminton) and Alex Brodie (Lawn Tennis) versus Sue Haswell (Lawn Tennis) and Harriet Ingham (Squash). Adding to the mix there was a left-hander on either side of the net, leading to some very physical near misses, particularly around Second Gallery!
Harriet and Sue used pinpoint accurate placing of the ball down the sides and under the grille to counter the volleying skills of Nicola and Alex. Harriet and Sue took the first set 6/3, and then, despite some fast and furious rests, aggressively also won the second set 6/1.
The fourth quarter was an interesting battle with all players coming from high achieving histories at 'other' racket games: Nicola Doble (Badminton) and Alex Brodie (Lawn Tennis) versus Sue Haswell (Lawn Tennis) and Harriet Ingham (Squash). Adding to the mix there was a left-hander on either side of the net, leading to some very physical near misses, particularly around Second Gallery!
Harriet and Sue used pinpoint accurate placing of the ball down the sides and under the grille to counter the volleying skills of Nicola and Alex. Harriet and Sue took the first set 6/3, and then, despite some fast and furious rests, aggressively also won the second set 6/1.
Irina Dulbish, Freddy Adam, Claire Fahey and Sarah Vigrass - Photo: Candida Nicholls
In the Semi-finals, the dedans were treated to some superb doubles play. Both matches were tightly fought with outstanding skill and sportsmanship.
Against Claire and Sarah, Freddy and Irina fought all the way, demonstrating their excellent volleying skills but could not stop the progress of the defending World Champions. At one point, there was laughter as the ball bounced off the roof just out of Claire’s reach and she said, ‘Too good’; but Sarah somehow managed to pick it up to win the point and game, and was heard to say to Claire: ‘Too good for YOU’. The pace and precision that Claire and Sarah were using was proving hard to handle despite the excellent defending by Freddy and Irina, and the score was soon 6/0.
Freddy and Irina then seemed to throw caution to the winds, with a strategy of matching power with power. Most players would find that a futile plan, but it did seem to work, denying the sisters the chance to craft killer shots. All was well, up to 3 all.
Then at 4/3, an everlasting game began – six deuces, with Advantage points swaying between the two pairs, and Freddy in particular solid as a mountain with her volleying. In the end a winning gallery shot by Claire to get Advantage again, followed by an unreturnable slamdinger to Freddy defending the grille, finally gave the game to her and Sarah, 5/3. To Freddy and Irina’s great credit, they were not fazed at losing such a tight game, and won the next – 4/5. But after yet another Deuce game, Claire and Sarah finally sealed the match, 6/1 6/4.
Against Claire and Sarah, Freddy and Irina fought all the way, demonstrating their excellent volleying skills but could not stop the progress of the defending World Champions. At one point, there was laughter as the ball bounced off the roof just out of Claire’s reach and she said, ‘Too good’; but Sarah somehow managed to pick it up to win the point and game, and was heard to say to Claire: ‘Too good for YOU’. The pace and precision that Claire and Sarah were using was proving hard to handle despite the excellent defending by Freddy and Irina, and the score was soon 6/0.
Freddy and Irina then seemed to throw caution to the winds, with a strategy of matching power with power. Most players would find that a futile plan, but it did seem to work, denying the sisters the chance to craft killer shots. All was well, up to 3 all.
Then at 4/3, an everlasting game began – six deuces, with Advantage points swaying between the two pairs, and Freddy in particular solid as a mountain with her volleying. In the end a winning gallery shot by Claire to get Advantage again, followed by an unreturnable slamdinger to Freddy defending the grille, finally gave the game to her and Sarah, 5/3. To Freddy and Irina’s great credit, they were not fazed at losing such a tight game, and won the next – 4/5. But after yet another Deuce game, Claire and Sarah finally sealed the match, 6/1 6/4.
Tara and Penny Lumley, Sue Haswell and Harriet Ingham - Photo: Candida Nicholls
In the second semi-final, Penny and Tara Lumley had an easier time against Harriet Ingham and Sue Haswell. Both Lumleys were serving very well and gained some easy points. Though the play was excellent, Harriet and Sue couldn’t win games, but at 5/0, at last they were given some chances which they took - literally - with both hands. A force volley to the grille, was followed by an angled cross-court shot that died: a game! Followed immediately by another - could this be a come-back? Not if the Lumleys had anything to do with it, and in the next game a rest consisting of nothing but volleys at set point gave them the first set, 6/2.
In the second set, things got even more exciting, as a smidgeon more unforced errors from the Lumleys, allied with a smidgeon more aggression from Harriet and Sue, meant that more points were going the way of the latter. They were up 5/3. Again, this seemed to galvanise Penny and Tara, who went on to win the next two games to love, to even up the score to 5 all. This seemed to take the stuffing out of Harriet and Sue, who then lost the final game and the match, 2/6 5/6. The spectators, although hoping for a three set spectacular, were not disappointed after the excellent nail-biting last set.
In the second set, things got even more exciting, as a smidgeon more unforced errors from the Lumleys, allied with a smidgeon more aggression from Harriet and Sue, meant that more points were going the way of the latter. They were up 5/3. Again, this seemed to galvanise Penny and Tara, who went on to win the next two games to love, to even up the score to 5 all. This seemed to take the stuffing out of Harriet and Sue, who then lost the final game and the match, 2/6 5/6. The spectators, although hoping for a three set spectacular, were not disappointed after the excellent nail-biting last set.
Claire Fahey and Sarah Vigrass knocking up before the Doubles Final - Photo: Peter Rowe Photography
The Final between mother and daughter Penny and Tara Lumley against sisters Claire and Sarah, was a bit of an anti-climax after the dramas of the Semis, though the standard of play remained excellent. Tara Lumley looked a bit overwhelmed at first, but soon settled into the pace and footwork required, and all players began to fire. It took 12 minutes to get the score to 2/0 to Sarah and Claire. The next games, however, went in a flash, with Penny and Tara on the defensive most of the time, and as a result sending the ball dangerously high. Claire seemed able to send into the Winning Gallery from almost anywhere on court, and the audience almost stopped clapping good shots by the sisters, as if such amazing talent was only to be expected and hardly worth applauding. The first set went, 6/0; and the second continued in similar fashion.
Tara with Penny serving - Photo: Peter Rowe Photography
Penny was running from side to side, retrieving superbly, but even she wasn’t able to keep it up in rest after rest, and the games kept going Claire and Sarah’s way. Then at 5/0, a gleam at the end of the tunnel – 40/0 to the Lumleys, after a beautiful shot from Penny that hit the wall just before the tambour to create an un-readable angle. But they lost the next shot, and then Tara had too long to think about a return, and put the ball into the net, to a groan of friendly disappointment from the spectators - oh yes, we’ve all been there….. Penny and Tara kept going, with desperate retrieving, picking up seemingly impossible shots inches above the floor. But it was not to be, and a great return of serve to Tara’s feet gave Claire Fahey and Sarah Vigrass the title once more. A great match with a score 6/0 6/0 that didn’t do justice to the skill and effort on display by their opponents.
Winners Isabel Candy and Lucy Hutchinson with Rob Fahey - Photo: Candida Nicholls
Handicap Doubles
Many of the main tournament pairs turned up also for the Handicap Doubles, plus other contestants who did not feel up to, or did not have time for, the cut-and-thrust of a World Championship. So, in all, there were 21 pairs competing, a fine turnout, with talents from Holland, France, Australia and the UK.
The tournament began with a Round Robin stage, held at Leamington on Monday (two groups) and Moreton Morrell (three groups) on Thursday, in four groups of four pairs plus one of five, playing one set to six games against each other pair in their group. Winners and runners-up went through to a knock-out competition. It was great to see so many young players taking part, and eventually giving a good account of themselves too, even against more experienced older players. In fact, by the last eight, at least half of those still on court were under 30 years old.
Many of the main tournament pairs turned up also for the Handicap Doubles, plus other contestants who did not feel up to, or did not have time for, the cut-and-thrust of a World Championship. So, in all, there were 21 pairs competing, a fine turnout, with talents from Holland, France, Australia and the UK.
The tournament began with a Round Robin stage, held at Leamington on Monday (two groups) and Moreton Morrell (three groups) on Thursday, in four groups of four pairs plus one of five, playing one set to six games against each other pair in their group. Winners and runners-up went through to a knock-out competition. It was great to see so many young players taking part, and eventually giving a good account of themselves too, even against more experienced older players. In fact, by the last eight, at least half of those still on court were under 30 years old.
Izzy Hunt, Clare Bucknell, Tara Lumley and Jess Garside - Photo: Candida Nicholls
There was a battle of the youngsters in the first semi-final, with the talented Tara Lumley and Jess Garside taking on Oxford students Izzy Hunt and Clare Bucknell, who had a very useful deep handicap in their favour. As a result, Tara and Jess played a careful game, volleying but not aiming to be too ambitious, just making sure the ball got over the net until they were sure of bringing off the killer shot. Brilliant saves included Tara’s return of Clare’s soft serves into the corner, somehow managing to dig the ball out so that it gently bounced into the dedans. Tara also demonstrated her strength defending the dedans with four volleys in a row before Izzy finally at the fifth attempt stuffed the ball into the corner.
There were countless rests consisting of almost nothing but volleys from all four players. In the end, the handicap was too much even for Tara and Jess, and Clare and Isabel went through 6/4.
Isabel Candy, Lucy Hutchinson, Sue Bicheno and Linda Sheraton-Davis - Photo: Candida Nicholls
In the second semi-final, a somewhat older group of players: Lucy Hutchinson with Isabel Candy (the young Turk of the group) was up against Linda Sheraton-Davis with Sue Bicheno, who had Half owe 15 against them. This was a good match of tactical play rather than fireworks, with very little to choose between the pairs. Isabel and Lucy had the edge from the start, however, being slightly more accurate in length of shot, with Isabel pin-pointing the corners beautifully. Linda and Sue tried a series of cunning plans: taking off the pace, sending balls short, looping them up, but their opponents passed all the tests, and won the match 6/1.
Isabel Candy, Lucy Hutchinson, Izzy Hunt and Clare Bucknell - Photo: Candida Nicholls
In the Final (played to best of eight games at Leamington), it was a matter of steadiness versus attack. Alas, for Izzy Hunt and Clare Bucknell, their volleying was off course, with too many errors especially on the backhand. So their attacking play was blunted, allowing Lucy Hutchinson and Isabel Candy to use their experience to the full, playing a careful but solid game keeping the ball in play and using the court very well with angles and well-placed ground strokes. Quite quickly, Lucy and Isabel Candy were up 5/1, putting more pressure on the somewhat impetuous Izzy Hunt and Clare. At this point, however, the Oxford players began to find a bit of form, and used superior firepower to win two of the next three games, bringing the score to 3/6. But Lucy and Isabel then upped their game in response, and, with some excellent serving by Lucy took the next game to love. In the final game Isabel Candy demonstrated her net skimming skills setting them up for a chase of Last Gallery. Isabel served for the match and the spectators drew breath as it was a fault, but the second serve was a good length and hard to return, ending up in the net, giving the match to Hutchinson/Candy 8/3.
Izzy Hunt and Maggie Henderson-Tew - Photo: Candida Nicholls
Singles Plate
Eighteen players entered into the Singles Plate, with some formidable talent among them, so many of the matches in this competition were worthy of the main tournament.
Surprisingly perhaps, the scores generally did not indicate the closeness of many of them, with only one match, that between Candida Nicholls and Cecile Alchuteguy going the distance to three sets. And even in the two-set matches, just two – between Gabrielle Smart and Lucie Douwes Dekker, and the semi between Maggie Henderson-Tew and Izzy Hunt – had a close score-line: both ended up 6/5 6/4. One intriguing match was that between mother and daughter from Holland – the afore-mentioned Lucie Douwes Dekker and her daughter Saskia Bollerman. Saskia showed no respect for her parent, and out-powered and out-served her. Lucie wasn’t even allowed a game point till the fifth game in the second set. Once she had won that game, to make it 1/4, Saskia obviously decided it was far too dangerous to allow her mother any more chances, and reeled off the points to win 6/0 6/1.
Eighteen players entered into the Singles Plate, with some formidable talent among them, so many of the matches in this competition were worthy of the main tournament.
Surprisingly perhaps, the scores generally did not indicate the closeness of many of them, with only one match, that between Candida Nicholls and Cecile Alchuteguy going the distance to three sets. And even in the two-set matches, just two – between Gabrielle Smart and Lucie Douwes Dekker, and the semi between Maggie Henderson-Tew and Izzy Hunt – had a close score-line: both ended up 6/5 6/4. One intriguing match was that between mother and daughter from Holland – the afore-mentioned Lucie Douwes Dekker and her daughter Saskia Bollerman. Saskia showed no respect for her parent, and out-powered and out-served her. Lucie wasn’t even allowed a game point till the fifth game in the second set. Once she had won that game, to make it 1/4, Saskia obviously decided it was far too dangerous to allow her mother any more chances, and reeled off the points to win 6/0 6/1.
Saskia Bollerman and Cecile Alchuteguy - Photo: Candida Nicholls
By the semi-finals, two Oxford players met each other in the first, and two non-UK players met in the second. First Maggie Henderson-Tew against Izzy Hunt, where Maggie was ahead in both sets but Izzy cantered in from behind. This was a very even contest, with very few easy games for either player. Perhaps the key game was the fifth in the first set. Maggie was up 3/1, when after seven deuces Izzy finally got the game to take it to 2/3. From there it went equally up the score line but once again, Izzy just pulled something out of the bag to take the first set 6/5. A remarkably similar pattern emerged in the second set. Again Maggie was up 3/0, but Izzy used a bit more aggression to catch up; they then were level-pegging up to 4 all, when Isabel edged ahead to 5/4, and then took the final game to go through 6/5 6/4.
Against Cecile Alchuteguy from Biarritz, Saskia Bollerman from Holland was just too powerful and consistent, crouching down like a tiger to hit low ground strokes, though Cecile fought all the way. Cecile won the third game to make it 1/2, but couldn’t stop Saskia moving on to take the first set 6/1. It looked as if Cecile might stage a come-back in the second set, when she won the first game with a bouncer off the Hazard penthouse that fell into the grille corner. And she and Saskia then matched each other, hit for hit, to 3 all. At this point the match turned as Saskia started to direct more shots at the tambour making it hard for Cecile to return them, since they were hit with such strength. Saskia also managed to lay better chases and soon she was 5/3 up. In the next game Saskia was definitely in charge and won the game with a lovely tambour shot to win the match 6/1, 6/3.
Against Cecile Alchuteguy from Biarritz, Saskia Bollerman from Holland was just too powerful and consistent, crouching down like a tiger to hit low ground strokes, though Cecile fought all the way. Cecile won the third game to make it 1/2, but couldn’t stop Saskia moving on to take the first set 6/1. It looked as if Cecile might stage a come-back in the second set, when she won the first game with a bouncer off the Hazard penthouse that fell into the grille corner. And she and Saskia then matched each other, hit for hit, to 3 all. At this point the match turned as Saskia started to direct more shots at the tambour making it hard for Cecile to return them, since they were hit with such strength. Saskia also managed to lay better chases and soon she was 5/3 up. In the next game Saskia was definitely in charge and won the game with a lovely tambour shot to win the match 6/1, 6/3.
Izzy Hunt - Photo: Peter Rowe Photography
The Singles Plate Final was an excellent treat of a match between Isabel Hunt and Saskia Bollerman. Both players had been visibly improving throughout the tournament, and by now they were both hitting low, strong ground strokes that barely skimmed the net, and volleying serves whenever possible. Both also made use of the side walls to create subtle angles. So those in the dedans enjoyed an excellent display as they battled it out, level-pegging up to 5 all. In an exciting game, Isabel was ahead 40/15, but with two successfully defended chases, Saskia got it to deuce. Isabel then had advantage three times, but couldn’t convert. When Saskia finally had an advantage of her own, she served, Isabel over-cooked her return to put it into the net and Saskia had stolen the set from under her nose, 6/5.
Saskia Bollerman receiving her prizes from HRH The Earl of Wessex - Photo: Peter Rowe Photography
Saskia used the momentum to take the first two games of the second set, helped by a double fault on game point from Isabel, who showed commendable grit , however, by hanging on in a tight deuce game to make it 1/2. But Saskia was now hitting ferociously, and in some great rests with the ball being walloped by both players, she was just outplaying Isabel. By 5/1, it was 40/30 to Saskia. Helped by a net cord, Isabel got the serve defending Chase 5. But Saskia’s return had great length, and she won the chase and the match 6/5 6/1. There was a well-deserved loud burst of applause for both players for a splendid match.
Match reporting by Linda Fairbrother, Candida Nicholls and Ann Skelhorne
The bar at LTCC laid up for the lunch in the presence of HRH The Earl of Wessex - Photo: Peter Rowe Photography
Thank yous:
Our grateful thanks to Leamington Tennis Court Club for hosting the Championships and to Charlotte Ricketts for providing catering for the corporate guests, the Welcome Reception, the Championships Dinner and a delicious lunch attended by Prince Edward on Finals Day. Also to Moreton Morrell Tennis Court Club who hosted some of the Handicap Doubles matches, making all the players feel very welcome.
Many thanks to Tom Gibson, the manager at LTCC and his wife Lucy who looked after us so well and helped us, unfailingly good-humouredly, with all our varied requests.
Ben Matthews, Ricardo Smith and Kevin Sheldon ably and cheerfully did hours of marking at Leamington, so many thanks to them, and to Tom Granville and Nick Jury at Moreton Morrell.
Obviously a huge tournament like the World Championships can only take place with the help of the many generous donors and sponsors: Amey, Building and Plumbing Supplies Ltd, Pol Roger, Regent Document Solutions, Wineflow, The Kitchen Furniture Co, Suzuki, Burnham Rosen Group, The Bath Pig, The British Premium Sausage Co, Derek Harvey, Henry Bryan and Affinity Independent .
A great feature of the week was the fantastic web streaming of the play at Leamington which allowed many people who couldn't be there, to enjoy the great tennis. Thank you very much to Robert Frost and John Lillie for all their time and expertise spent supervising this.
We were also very grateful to those Leamington members who kindly provided accommodation for competitors.
Thank you to the photographers and the reporters for providing such a good record of the tournament.
Finally, the Ladies World Championships Committee has been toiling over the arrangements for well over a year and did a fantastically efficient job, keeping track of hugely complicated logistics and creating a premier event. Many thanks to Zoe Morrissey of Leamington who helped with the players “goodie bags”, Caroline Dixon with accommodation and Phil MacDonald with security. Major plaudits to: Viv Dawes, Candida Nicholls, Katy Weston (who edited the excellent programme), Guy Stanton and his committee, and especially Secretary and Treasurer Sarah McGivern and above all, Alex Garside the Chairman.
Our grateful thanks to Leamington Tennis Court Club for hosting the Championships and to Charlotte Ricketts for providing catering for the corporate guests, the Welcome Reception, the Championships Dinner and a delicious lunch attended by Prince Edward on Finals Day. Also to Moreton Morrell Tennis Court Club who hosted some of the Handicap Doubles matches, making all the players feel very welcome.
Many thanks to Tom Gibson, the manager at LTCC and his wife Lucy who looked after us so well and helped us, unfailingly good-humouredly, with all our varied requests.
Ben Matthews, Ricardo Smith and Kevin Sheldon ably and cheerfully did hours of marking at Leamington, so many thanks to them, and to Tom Granville and Nick Jury at Moreton Morrell.
Obviously a huge tournament like the World Championships can only take place with the help of the many generous donors and sponsors: Amey, Building and Plumbing Supplies Ltd, Pol Roger, Regent Document Solutions, Wineflow, The Kitchen Furniture Co, Suzuki, Burnham Rosen Group, The Bath Pig, The British Premium Sausage Co, Derek Harvey, Henry Bryan and Affinity Independent .
A great feature of the week was the fantastic web streaming of the play at Leamington which allowed many people who couldn't be there, to enjoy the great tennis. Thank you very much to Robert Frost and John Lillie for all their time and expertise spent supervising this.
We were also very grateful to those Leamington members who kindly provided accommodation for competitors.
Thank you to the photographers and the reporters for providing such a good record of the tournament.
Finally, the Ladies World Championships Committee has been toiling over the arrangements for well over a year and did a fantastically efficient job, keeping track of hugely complicated logistics and creating a premier event. Many thanks to Zoe Morrissey of Leamington who helped with the players “goodie bags”, Caroline Dixon with accommodation and Phil MacDonald with security. Major plaudits to: Viv Dawes, Candida Nicholls, Katy Weston (who edited the excellent programme), Guy Stanton and his committee, and especially Secretary and Treasurer Sarah McGivern and above all, Alex Garside the Chairman.