By Glenys Furness
- Anton Matusevich claimed the Pro League title without dropping a set
- Sonay Kartal claimed the ladies dominating the final.
SHREWSBURY, UK – Anton Matusevich & Sonay Kartal were crowned winners of the 2021 Pro League series. Matusevich claimed the title without dropping a set. Kartal dominated the final.
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The final week of the 2021 UK Pro Series kicked off on Monday with Anton Matusevich against Sean Hodkin on court 1. The 20 year old dominated the first set. Hodkin tried to stay with the young Brit but Matusevich was too strong. In the second set, Hodkin stayed closer to the 20 year old. However, Hodkin was unable to break serve to level the match. Matusevich secured the required break of serve to take the win 6-1, 6-3.
On Wednesday the young Brit was against 2015 Davis cup winner James Ward. The 34 year old had only played seven matches in 2021 to this point. Ward and Matusevich stayed toe to toe in the first set. The younger Brit secured a break of serve against the Davis Cup Champion and would serve for the first set. The lack of matches for the older Brit showed as he struggled in the game. Matusevich held serve and took the first set. Ward had called for the trainer due to a back issue. Unfortunately the 34 year old was unable to continue and Matusevich secured his second pool win 7-5 (RET).
Thursday saw Matusevich play Julian Cash in the quarter-final. The first set was close as both players stayed toe to toe. The 20 year old managed to break the serve of Cash in the first set to take the lead. In the second set Matusevich dominated Cash. The 24 year old was unable to break back to get back into the match. Matusevich moved into the semi-final 6-4, 6-2.
Saturday saw the 20 year old against Giles Hussey in the semi-final. Matusevich dominated the first set as Hussey struggled to get into the match. However, the second set was much closer. Hussey stayed with the young Brit and looked to be forcing a tiebreak. Matusevich eventually secured the break of serve to book a spot in the final 6-2. 7-5.
In the final Matusevich was against Henry Patten. The first set was dominated by the 20 year old, who barely put a foot wrong. The second set was much closer, Patten was able to stay with Matusevich until near the end when the young Brit once again broke serve to take the title 6-2, 6-4.
Ladies event
Sonay Kartal kicked off her campaign on Monday against Eliz Maloney. The 20 year old dominated the first set, losing only one game to take the lead. The second set was much closer as Maloney fought hard, taking the set to a tiebreak. In the tiebreak Kartal dominated Maloney to take the first pool win 6-1, 7-6(3).
Wednesday saw Kartal against Katie Stresnakova. The Slovakian dominated the first set as Kartal struggled to hold serve. No matter what Kartal tried the 20 year old could not get back into the set. In the second set Kartal stayed with Stresnakova until right near the end. The Slovakian broke the serve of the Brit and took the match 6-1, 7-5.
On Friday Kartal was against Yuriko Miyazaki in the quarter-final. The Brit dominated the Japanese in the first set, losing only one game. The second set was much closer as Miyazaki forced a tiebreak. The Japanese edged the breaker and levelled up the match. The final set was a match tiebreak. Kartal eased through the match tiebreak to book a semi-final spot 6-1, 6-7(9), 10-4.
Saturday semi-final saw Kartal against Sarah Beth Grey. The first set saw Kartal & Grey stay toe to toe. Eventually Kartal managed to break the serve of Grey to take the lead. The second set was a tight affair. Kartal and Grey went to a tiebreak, which Grey dominated to level the match. In the ensuing match tiebreak it was the 20 year old who edged through to book a spot in the final 7-5, 6-7(3), 10-8.
In the final Kartal was against Freya Christie. Kartal dominated the match from start to finish. No matter what Christie tried Kartal had the answer. The 20 year old was in superb form and dispatched Christie quickly to claim the overall title for 2021 6-0, 6-1.
Pro League Round Up
Dan Cox defeated Giles Hussey 6-3, 6-3 to finish third.
Sarah Beth Grey defeated Eden Silva 6-4, 6-3 to finish third.
Billy Harris defeated Jay Clarke 6-3 (RET) to finish fifth.
Lauryn John-Baptiste defeated Emily Appleton 3-6, 6-2, 10-8 to finish fifth.
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