Home
Glenys Furness
Tara Moore in the Aegon Open, WTA Nottingham 2017
Tara Moore in the Aegon Open, WTA Nottingham 2017 | (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images for LTA)

Tara Moore claims title in Sharm El Sheikh

Glenys Furness
Tennis

By Glenys Furness

  • Tara Moore lifts trophy in Egypt
  • Second seed didn’t drop a set all tournament

SHARM EL SHEIKH, EGYPT  – Tara Moore lifts the trophy in Sharm El Sheikh, continuing the recent good record of Brits in the event.

 

[table “ADPDAll” not found /]

 

Brit of the Week

Tara Moore was seeded second in this weeks ITF event in Sharm El Sheikh. The Egyptian air seems to suit the Brits as recent weeks have provided success for different British players.

In the first round Moore was against Giulia Crescenzi. The Italian started well and stayed with the second seed until the Brit managed to break serve. Moore went on to take the first set without much more bother, the second set was so much easier for Moore, the seed only lost one game to move into the second round 6-3, 6-1.

The second round match saw the Brit face Caroline Werner, the German had won the first round match without breaking a sweat, so this would be a tough match up. Moore found the first set a battle, but finally managed to achieve the break of serve and hold on to take the set. The second set was easier as the seed found her game and Werner had nothing to counter with, Moore eased into the quarter-final 6-4, 6-2.

In the quarter-final the second seed was up against Greet Minnen, the Belgian started well and pushed the Brit hard, however Moore took the break of serve needed and secured the first set. In the second the Brit was dominant and limited Minnen to one game on the board, progressing through to the semi-final 6-4, 6-1.

The semi-final saw Moore facing Angelina Gabueva, the Russian was no match for the Brit. The seed had very little bother claiming the first set for the loss of only one game. Gabueva tried to mount a fight back in the second set but Moore was able to keep the Russian under control and booked a final spot 6-1, 6-2.

In the final Moore was up against the third seed Eleni Kordolaimi. The Greek had to fight to get into the final, having the last three matches go the distance. The Brit however, played almost like the second seed had left the oven on, barely putting a foot wrong, losing only one game the entire match, which ended in under and hour 6-0, 6-1.

 

Honourable Mention

Jack Findel-Hawkins had come through qualifying and into the main draw in the F9 futures event in Memphis. In the first round the Brit was drawn against Trice Pickens, the American proved no match for Findel-Hawkins in the first set, as the Brit dominated and lost only one game. The second set Pickens tried to fight back, but the Brit got the break when needed and sealed the win 6-1, 6-4.

The second round saw the Brit up against the eighth seed Samuel Monette. The Canadian was a tougher opponent and took the qualifier to a tiebreak in the first set. Monette came out on top of the breaker and took the lead. Findel-Hawkins though was determined to make the seed work for the win, and did just that. The Brit fought hard and managed to break just when needed in both the second and third sets to move into the next round 6-7(3), 7-5, 7-5.

In the quarter-final the Brit was facing José Pereira, the Brazilian kept with the Findel-Hawkins to start with, but the qualifier soon came into his own, breaking Pereira in both sets to keep the week alive and the Brit moved into the semi-final without much bother in the end taking the match 6-3, 6-3.

The semi-final had the Brit against the sixth seed Sebastian Fanselow. The German was in full control in the first set with Findel-Hawkins struggling to hold serve. Fanselow took the first with little trouble, the Brit however came back well in the second set and forced a tiebreak. In the tiebreak the Brit was dominant and secured the breaker, meaning one set would decide who had to play the final. Unfortunately the German got the better of Findel-Hawkins and made the final, but a good week for the Brit who lost 6-2, 6-7(2), 6-3.

 

[table “ADTenTix” not found /]

 

ITF & Challenger Round Up

Ryan Peniston lost in the quarter-final in Memphis 6-3, 4-6, 7-5.

Billy Harris lost in the quarter-final of Santa Margherita di Pula 7-5, 6-4.

Finn Bass lost in the second round in Egypt, the Brit took the first set 6-4, then lost the next 7-5, 6-3.

Luke Johnson lost in the second round in Tunisia, the Brit took the first set 6-1 before losing the next 6-3, 7-5.

Samm Butler lost in the second round in Tunisia, the Brit took the first set 6-3 before losing the next 7-6(4), 6-4.

Ryan Storrie lost in the quarter-final in Turkey 6-1, 5-7, 6-4.

Emma Raducanu lost the first set in the quarter-final in Nanjing 7-6(4) then retired from the match.

Jay Clarke lost in the second round in Panama 6-4, 6-2.

Next week Brits play in Marrakech, Houston, Mexico City, Italy, USA, Egypt, Lugano, Turkey & Portugal.