By Glenys Furness
- Billy Harris claimed title in ITF Sozopol
- Brit was sixth seed
- Only dropped one set en route
SOZOPOL, BULGARIA – Billy Harris entered the ITF event and was the sixth seed. The Brit only dropped one set en route to the title.
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Brit of the Week
Billy Harris entered the ITF event in Sozopol and was the sixth seed. The 26 year old Brit drew Bulgarian Simeon Terziev in the first round. The Wildcard struggled in the first set, as Harris dominated. The Brit broke at will as Terziev was unable to hold serve. The seed soon took the lead. In the second set the Bulgarian played better, staying close to the Brit. However, Harris secured the vital break of serve to move into the next round in straight sets 6-1, 7-5.
In the second round Harris was against Austrian Sandro Kopp. Once again the Brit dominated the first set. The Austrian tried to stay with the seed, but found the Brit too strong. The second set saw Kopp regroup. The Austrian stayed toe to toe with Harris and forced a tiebreak. In the breaker the seed dominated from the start, moving through with ease to book a spot in the quarter-final 6-2, 7-6(2).
The quarter-final saw the Brit against the top seed Alexander Lazarov. The Bulgarian stayed close in the first set, with Harris trying to make the breakthrough. The sixth seed eventually secured the break of serve to move into the lead. The second set saw the Brit dominate again, with Lazarov struggling to make in roads into the sixth seeds game. Harris moved into the semi-final in straight sets 6-4, 6-2.
In the semi-final Harris was against the third seed Yan Bondarevskiy. The Brit secured a break of serve in the first set to move into the lead. The Russian re-grouped in the second set. Bondarevskiy broke the serve of Harris and managed to level up the match. The final set was close, with neither player securing a vital break of serve. Eventually a tiebreak ensued. Harris stepped things up and dominated the breaker to eventually move into the final 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(2).
The final saw the Brit against the fifth seed German Kai Wehnelt. Harris was in fine form and looking for his first ITF title. The Brit secured the break of serve needed in the first set to take the lead. In the second set, the German struggled to hold serve. Harris broke with ease as Wehnelt wilted under the pressure. Harris claimed the victory in straight sets to claim his first ITF Title 6-4, 6-1.
Honourable Mention
Charles Broom entered the ITF event in Ithaca, New York and was unseeded. The Brit drew American qualifier Nico Mostardi in the first round. Broom dominated the first set as Mostardi struggled to hold serve. The second set saw the American get a handle on the game. Staying toe to toe with the Brit, the American forced a tiebreak. Broom edged the breaker to move into the second round 6-1, 7-6(10).
In the second round Broom was against another American, this time Ryan Shane. The Brit secured a break of serve in the first set to take the lead. In the second set, Broom dominated and was well ahead when Shane retired from the match. Broom moved into the quarter-final 6-4, 4-1 (RET).
The quarter-final saw Broom against eighth seed Alafia Ayeni. The American managed to break the serve of the Brit and took the lead. However, the Brit regrouped in the second set. Broom fought back, breaking the serve of Ayeni to level up the match. The final set saw Broom dominate the seed breaking freely and moved into the semi-final 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
In the semi-final Broom was against unseeded American A.J. Catanzariti. As in the previous round, the American managed to break the serve of the Brit and took the lead. However, just like the previous match, Broom regrouped and fought back to level the match. The final set was dominated again by Broom who broke easily and moved into the final 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
The final saw Broom against his doubles partner Henry Patten. The first set was a very tense affair with neither Brit able to break serve. In the tiebreak both players fought hard, it was Patten that managed to edge ahead and take the lead. In the second set Broom managed to secure the break of serve needed and levelled up the match. The final set saw both players stay toe to toe. Eventually Broom managed to break serve and held on to take the win and his first ITF title 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4.
Challenger & ITF Round Up
Anna Brogan was defeated by Yeon Woo Ku in the semi-final in Sozopol 6-1, 6-4.
Mark Whitehouse was defeated by Eduardo Nava in the first round in Ithaca 7-6(3), 6-2.
Millen Hurrion was defeated by Martin Damm in the first round in Nevers 7-5, 7-6(5).
Ben Jones was defeated by Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the second round in Nevers 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(5).
Luke Johnson was defeated by Max Hans Rehberg in the second round in Prague 6-4, 6-2.
Alexis Canter was defeated by Yanki Erel in the first round in Doha 6-1, 6-2.
Ryan Storrie was defeated by Oscar Moraing in the final in Doha 7-5, 6-3.
Giles Hussey was defeated by Juan Alejandro Hernandez Serrano in the second round in Cancun 4-6, 6-2, 6-3.
Alice Gillan was defeated by Sandy Marti in the second round in Cancun 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.
Blu Baker was defeated by Michael Redlicki in the second round in Naples (Florida) 6-3, 6-4.
Mattias Southcombe was defeated by Raphael Collignon in the first round in Monastir 6-4, 6-2.
Sarah Beth Grey was defeated by Daria Snigur in the second round in Cherbourg-en-cotentin 6-1, 6-1.
Tara Moore was defeated by Hanna Chang in the quarter-final in Las Vegas 2-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Katie Swan was defeated by Catherine Harrison in the semi-final in Redding 3-6, 6-4, 7-5.
Alisha Reayer was defeated by Cheri Darley in the first round in Hilton Head 6-0, 6-1.
Cheri Darley was defeated by Elizabeth Scotty in the second round in Hilton Head 6-0, 6-1.
Jasmine Conway was defeated by Carson Branstine in the first round in Sharm-El-Sheikh 7-6(3), 6-4.
Emilie Lindh was defeated by Ivana Sebestova in the second round in Sharm-El-Sheikh 6-2, 6-3.
Next Week Brits play in Indian Wells, Alicante, Napoli, France, Portugal, Qatar, Mexico, Bulgaria, USA, Turkey, Tunisia & Egypt.
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