By Glenys Furness
- Ranah Akua Stoiber made the final in Tunisia
- Defeated top seed en route
- Katie Boulter had to withdraw from final in Fukuoka
MONASTIR, TUNISIA – Ranah Akua Stoiber entered the ITF event and was the eighth seed. The Brit made the final before being defeated. Katie Boulter made the final in Japan but had to withdraw before the match.
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Brit of the Week
Ranah Stoiber entered the ITF event and was the eighth seed. In the first round the Brit drew Camilla Gennaro. The Italian stayed with the Brit at the start of the first set, before Stoiber managed to break serve to take the lead. The second set was more of the same, as Gennaro could not get into the Stoiber serve. The Brit moved on in straight sets 6-3, 6-3.
The second round saw the Brit against qualifier Tanisha Kashyap. The Indian stayed with the Brit in the first set, as neither player could get the decisive break of serve. In the ensuing tiebreak Stoiber dominated and took the lead. The second set was much easier for Stoiber, who managed to break serve of Kashyap and claim the victory in straight sets 7-6(2), 6-3.
In the quarter-final Stoiber was against fellow Brit and fourth seed Talia Neilson-Gatenby. The first set was very tight, neither Brit wanting to give an inch. Fittingly a tiebreak followed. Neilson-Gatenby edged the breaker and took the lead. The second set saw Stoiber up her game and manage to break the fourth seed to level the match. The final set once again, saw Stoiber getting the upper hand and breaking her compatriot serve to take the win 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-3.
The semi-final should have been against the top seed Yasmine Mansouri. The French woman had not dropped a set by this point. However, Mansouri had to withdraw from the match before it started. This handed Stoiber a place in the final 0-0 (RET).
In the final the Brit was against Ren Yufei. The Chinese player was unfortunately too good for the Brit and dominated the first set. Stoiber was unable to hold serve and Yufei took the lead. The second set was closer, however, as the Brit stayed with the Chinese at the start. Eventually, Yufei broke serve and lifted the title 6-0, 6-3.
Honourable Mention
Katie Boulter entered the ITF event in Fukuoka and was the top seed. In the first round the Brit drew Mei Yamaughi. The first set saw the Japanese stay with the Brit at the start, and was making Boulter work. However, the Brit managed to break serve and take the lead. The second set saw Boulter dominate and moved quickly into the next round 6-4, 6-1.
The second round saw Boulter against Eri Shimizu. The Brit dominated from the outset, as the Japanese struggled to get into the match. Boulter played so well, that the Brit only lost one game in the entire match. Shimizu was unable to get anything on the Brit’s game and soon found themselves on the wrong end of a straight sets match. Boulter moved into the next round 6-1, 6-0.
In the quarter-final the Brit was against eighth seed Liang En Shuo. Boulter and the player from Taipei stayed close at the start, however, the Brit was able to break and take the lead. The second set saw En Shuo break the Brit and level up the match. The final set was a very tight affair and neither could get the break. A tiebreak ensued and it was Boulter that edged through and into the next round 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(5).
The semi-final saw Boulter against fourth seed Emina Bektas. The American dominated the first set, breaking Boulter to take the lead. The Brit re-grouped in the second set and broke Bektas to level up the match. The final set was again very very close and once again went to a tiebreak. Boulter edged through again and into the final 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(5).
In the final Boulter was scheduled to play qualifier Natsumi Kawaguchi. However, the Brit was unable to take to the court and handed the win to the Japanese player. It was not the way Boulter would have wanted to end as runner up, but illness forced her hand. Kawaguchi took the match 0-0 (RET).
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Challenger & ITF Round Up
Billy Harris was defeated by Alejandro Moro Canas in the first round in Prague 6-2, 3-6, 6-0.
Eden Silva was defeated by Kajsa Rinaldo Persson in the quarter-final in Bastad 7-5, 7-6(0).
Mark Whitehouse was defeated by Lucas Catarina in the first round in Varnamo 6-2, 6-1.
Charles Broom was defeated by Elmer Moeller in the first round in Varnamo 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.
Jay Clarke was defeated by Oliver Crawford in the semi-final in Varnamo 5-7, 7-6(2), 7-6(6).
Sonay Kartal was defeated by Carolina Alves in the semi-final in Platja D’Aro 7-5, 0-6, 6-1.
Zach Stephens was defeated by Javier Barranco Cosano in the first round in Valldoreix 6-1, 6-2.
Heather Watson was defeated by Lina Gjorcheska in the second round in Zagreb 6-7(2), 6-4, 7-6(7).
Anna Brogan was defeated by Polina Iatcenko in the quarter-final in Kachreti 7-6(5), 6-1.
Eleanor Baglow was defeated by Anastasia Kovaleva in the first round in Antalya 6-2, 6-3.
Next Week Brits play in Rome, Bordeaux, Tunis, Oeiras, Italy, Czech Republic, Mexico, Spain, Serbia, USA, Tunisia, Sweden, Turkey, France, Japan, Georgia, & Austria.
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