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Tennis | Challenger & ITF Round Up | Brydan Klein claims ITF Mildura title

By Glenys Furness

  • Brydan Klein claimed ITF Title in Mildura
  • Defeated top seed along the way
MILDURA, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA – Brydan Klein claimed the ITF title, defeating the top seed along the way. The Brit only dropped one set en route to the title.

 

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Brit of the Week

Brydan Klein had entered the ITF Mildura event and was seeded third. The Brit was drawn against Chanchai Sookton-Eng in the first round. The Thai was no match for the Brit as Klein took the match to Sookton-Eng. The third seed broke early in both sets and never looked back. Taking the match in straight sets 6-2, 6-3.

In the second round Klein was against Nikita Volonski. The Australian could not match the Brit and was soon down a break. The seed continued his form from the previous round and was unstoppable. Klein broke Volonski in each set and moved into the quarter-final in straight sets 6-3, 6-2.

The quarter-final pitched the Brit against the fifth seed Hsu Yu-Hsiou. The Taiwanese stayed toe to toe with Klein and forced a tiebreak. The third seed edged the breaker to take the lead. Yu-Hsiou re-grouped and fought back in the second set, breaking Klein and taking the set to level up. The Brit came back strong in the final set and broke the Taiwanese to book a spot in the semi-final 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-3.

In the semi-final the third seed was against the top seed Dayne Kelly. The Australian was on paper expected to win the match. Klein however had other ideas, the third seed broke the Australian in both sets and took advantage by holding serve. Kelly was unable to break back and the Brit moved into the final 6-3, 6-3.

The final saw Klein pitched against Rio Noguchi. The Japanese player proved a tough opponent in the first set, staying with the third seed. However, the Brit managed to break through right at the end of the set and take the lead. This spurred on the third seed who continued the good form, breaking Noguchi to seal the victory in straight sets and take the title 7-5, 6-3.

Honourable Mention

Samantha Murray Sharan entered the ITF event in Potchefstroom, South Africa and was top seed. The Brit was up against Emily Seibold. The Brit had little trouble in dispatching the German in straight sets, breaking in both sets to move into the second round 6-3, 6-4.

The second round saw the Brit against Israeli Shavit Kimchi. The first set was very close with Kimchi staying toe to toe with Murray Sharan until the top seed broke at the end. In the second set the top seed stepped things up, taking the game to Kimchi and didn’t lose another game. The Brit moved into the quarter-finals in straight sets    7-5, 6-0.

In the quarter-final Murray Sharan was against eighth seed Chanel Simmonds. The South African fought hard in the first set and forced a tiebreak. The Brit was edged out in the breaker, but managed to re-group and came back out stronger. Murray Sharan broke Simmonds in both the next sets to move into the semi-final and two matches away from the title 6-7(7), 6-2, 6-3.

The semi-final the top seed was against Katy Dunne. Murray Sharan and Dunne were toe to toe in the first set, before Dunne secured the break to take the first set. The top seed re-grouped and in the second set dominated to level up. Dunne unfortunately had to retire after losing the set so it was the top seed that progressed 5-7, 6-1 RET.

In the final the top seed was against Marina Melnikova. The Russian was the second seed and took the game to the Brit. Melnikova dominated the first set, but was soon on the back foot as Murray Sharan levelled up. In the final set the Brit secured the break needed to win the match and lift the trophy 2-6, 6-2, 6-4.

 

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Challenger & ITF Round Up

James Ward was defeated by Paolo Lorenzi in the second round in Monterrey 6-3, 6-7(2), 6-3.

Liam Broady was defeated by Brandon Nakashima in the first round in Indian Wells Challenger 6-2, 6-3.

Ryan Peniston was defeated by Marcos Giron in the second round in Indian Wells Challenger 6-2, 7-6(4).

David Fox was defeated by Alexander Sarkissan in the second round in Las Vegas 6-4, 6-1.

Katie Swan was defeated by Sophia Whittle in the second round in Las Vegas 6-3, 1-0 RET.

Gabriella Taylor was defeated by Deniz Khazaniuk in the second round in South Africa 6-3, 7-5.

Alexis Canter was defeated by Luca Nardi in the first round in Egypt 7-5, 6-2.

Sean Hodkin was defeated by Alexander Erler in the first round in Heraklion 6-2, 6-1.

Next week Brits play in Indian Wells, Mexico, Cairo, Brazil, South Africa, Tunisia, France, Australia, Greece, Portugal, Doha & Croatia.

 

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