By Glenys Furness
- Sonay Kartal claimed ITF Leiria title
- Brit was second seed
- Aidan McHugh claimed ITF Madrid title
LEIRIA, PORTUGAL – Sonay Kartal entered the ITF event and was the second seed. The young Brit lifted the trophy to claim 2nd ITF title of the season. Aidan McHugh claimed the ITF title in Madrid.
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Brit of the Week
Sonay Kartal entered the ITF event in Leiria and was the second seed. The Brit was against qualifier Milla Sequeira in the first round. The Portuguese player had come through qualifying but was no match for the Brit. Kartal dominated the match from the outset. The Brit only dropped one game all match as she eased into the next round 6-1, 6-0.
In the second round Kartal was against Amandine Hesse. The French woman was unable to stay with the Brit in the first set, as Kartal dominated. The second was a little closer, as Hesse managed to hold serve more. However, Kartal managed to obtain the break of serve needed and moved into the next round in straight sets 6-1, 6-3.
The quarter-final saw Kartal against Tian Fangran. The Chinese player got off to the better start, breaking the Brit and took the lead. The second set saw the Brit re-group and dominate. The Brit levelled up the match and forced a third set. The final set was close, with neither player giving an inch. Eventually, Kartal secured the break of serve and moved into the next round 3-6, 6-2, 6-4.
In the semi-final Kartal was against compatriot Amarni Banks. The seed dominated the first set, as Banks struggled to stay with her. However, the second set was much closer as both players fought hard. Eventually, a tiebreak ensued. In the breaker Kartal edged through and booked a spot in the final 6-2, 7-6(5).
The final saw Kartal against top seed Anastasia Zakharova. The Russian stayed with the Brit in the first set, forcing a tiebreak. In the breaker Kartal edged through and took the lead. The second set saw Zakharova re-group. The Russian dominated the set and levelled up the match. The final set started with the Russian in control and taking a lead. However, the Brit fought back after a delay in the proceedings. The second seed then managed to break serve and seal the win 7-6(5), 1-6, 6-3.
Honourable Mention
Aidan McHugh entered the ITF event in Madrid and was the top seed. The Brit drew Juan Carlos Aguilar. The Canadian stayed with the Brit in the first set to force a tiebreak. In the breaker McHugh managed to edge through and take the lead. The second set saw the Brit step things up, securing the break of serve needed to move into the next round in straight sets 7-6(6), 6-3.
The second round saw the Brit against Spaniard Pablo Masjuan Ginel. The Spaniard got off to the better start and dominated to take the first set. McHugh re-grouped in the second set and managed to break the Spaniard to level the match. The final set was very close, with neither player giving an inch. Eventually, a tiebreak ensued. In the tiebreak both players fought hard, but it was McHugh that edged through and took a place in the next round 2-6, 6-3, 7-6(6).
In the quarter-final McHugh was against another Spaniard, fifth seed Sergi Perez Contri. The first set was close, with the Brit and the Spaniard going toe-to-toe before McHugh secured the break of serve to take the lead. The second set however, saw the top seed dominate breaking at will to move in the next round 7-5, 6-1.
The semi-final saw the Brit against another Spaniard, this time Bruno Pujoi Navarro. The unseeded Spaniard made it hard for McHugh, breaking the top seed to take the lead. The Brit fought back in the second set and broke serve to level up the match. The final set saw McHugh dominate and move into the final 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
In the final McHugh was against sixth seed Peter Heller. The German stayed with the Brit at the start of the first set, before the top seed finally managed to break serve and take the lead. The second set was more of the same, and even looked to be heading to a tiebreak. However, McHugh secured the vital break of serve and lifted the title in straight sets 6-4, 7-5.
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Challenger & ITF Round Up
Eden Silva was defeated by Tian Fangran in the first round in Leiria 6-0, 6-1.
Ranah Stoiber was defeated by Sofia Costoulas in the first round in Leiria 6-3, 6-0.
Luke Simkiss was defeated by Nikolay Nedelchev in the first round in Madrid 6-3, 4-6, 7-5.
Daniel Cox was defeated by Bruno Pujoi Navarro in the quarter-final in Madrid 3-6, 7-5, 6-3.
Jan Choinski was defeated by Vit Kopriva in the first round in Szczecin 6-2, 6-3.
Liam Broady was defeated by Zizou Bergs in the first round in Rennes 6-4, 6-4.
William Jansen was defeated by Thai-Son Kwiatkowski in the first round in Cary 6-4, 6-3.
Toby Samuel was defeated by Zachary Svajda in the quarter-final in Cary 7-5, 5-7, 6-1.
Charles Broom was defeated by Antoine Ghibaudo in the first round in Plaisir 6-4, 6-4.
Millen Hurrion was defeated by Antoine Ghibaudo in the second round in Plaisir 6-4, 6-3.
Daniel Little was defeated by Tristan Lamasine in the quarter-final in Plaisir 6-1, 6-4.
Anton Matusevich was defeated by Mats Rosenkrantz in the semi-final in Plaisir 6-3, 6-4.
Sarah Beth Grey was defeated by Johanne Svendsen in the first round in Le Neubourg 6-3, 5-7, 6-0.
Arthur Fery was defeated by Francesco Forti in the final in Pozzuoli 6-4, 6-3.
Marcus Walters was defeated by Kalin Ivanovski in the first round in Sintra 6-4, 7-6(5).
James MacKinley was defeated by Martim Simoes in the first round in Sintra 6-2, 6-3.
Felix Mischker was defeated by Andreas Martin in the second round in M25 Monastir 6-3, 7-5.
Katie Dyson was defeated by Marcelina Podlinska in the first round in M15 Monastir 6-2, 6-0.
Oscar Weightman was defeated by Luca Wiedenmann in the quarter-final in M15 Monastir 6-3, 7-5.
Next Week Brits play in Zhuhai, Chengdu, Bad Waltersdorf, St Tropez, Columbus, Portugal, Egypt, Spain, Tunisia, Sweden, & Guangzhou.
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