Katy Dunne at the 2018 Nature Valley Classic, Birmingham, UK
Katy Dunne at the 2018 Nature Valley Classic, Birmingham, UK | (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images for LTA)

Tennis | UK Pro League 2023 Round Up | Dunne & Hussey claim week 5 titles

By Glenys Furness

  • Katy Dunne claimed title on debut
  • Giles Hussey claimed first Pro League title
  • Both lost only two sets en route
ALDERSHOT, UK – Katy Dunne started her comeback with a win on the Pro League tour. Giles Hussey got his first Pro League title, both dropped only two sets en route.

 

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Katy Dunne started her comeback from injury by entering this weeks Pro League. Dunne kicked off proceedings on Court 1 taking on Danielle Daly. Dunne and Daly stayed close in the first set, but as Dunne has not played a competitive match since 2019, Daly managed to secure the break of serve to take the first set. The second set saw Dunne find her way though, and break Daly to level up the match. The match tiebreak was also very close, as both fought hard to secure the win. Dunne managed to edge through to take her first match win in over 3 years 4-6, 6-3, 10-8.

The second round robin match Dunne played was against 21 year old Regina Ristic-North. Dunne had no trouble against the debutant. Ristic-North struggled to hold serve against the more experienced player. Dunne soon had the second win under her belt, this time in straight sets 6-1, 6-0.

The quarter-final saw Dunne against Summer Yardley. The first set saw the 23 year old fight hard against Dunne, but eventually 28 year old secured the break of serve and took the lead. The second set saw the more experienced Brit dominate and move into the next round in straight sets 6-3, 6-2.

In the semi-final Dunne was against Eliz Maloney. the 28 year old dominated the first set and took the lead. The younger Brit fought back in the second set and dominated to level up the match. In the match tiebreak Dunne and Maloney stayed close at the start, before Dunne stepped things up and moved ahead. Maloney was unable to get back into the match and Dunne was in the final on her debut 6-2, 1-6, 10-5.

The final saw Dunne against week 1 winner Katie Stresnakova. The Slovakian had continued her good form on the Pro League tour by making another final. Stresnakova stayed with Dunne at the start of the first set. Eventually, though, the Brit broke through and took the lead. The second set was more of the same, with Dunne breaking the Slovakian to claim the week 5 title 6-4, 6-4.

 

Men’s Event

Giles Hussey was the second match on Court 1 on the first day and was against Adam Jones. The two Brits went toe to toe in the first set and forced a tiebreak. In the breaker Jones eased through and took the lead. The second set saw Hussey fight back in the second set, breaking Jones to level up the match. In the match tiebreak Hussey eased through and took the win 6-7(3), 6-4, 10-4.

The second round robin match saw Hussey against Brandon Murphy. In the first set Hussey broke early and held on to take the set. The second set was dominated by Murphy who mounted a fight back to level up the match. In the ensuing match tiebreak Hussey and Murphy stayed close at the start before Hussey upped his level and moved through 6-3, 2-6, 10-5.

In the quarter-final Hussey was against Dan Little. The first set was very very close, with neither player giving an inch. Eventually, a tiebreak ensued. The breaker was also very tight, but eventually Hussey managed to edge through and take the lead. In the second set, Hussey dominated from the outset and took the match in straight sets 7-6(7), 6-2.

The semi-final saw Hussey against Joshua Goodger. Just like in the last round the players stayed close and forced a tiebreak. Again, Hussey edged through and took the lead. This seemed to unsettle Goodger and the second set was dominated by Hussey who booked a spot in the final 7-6(5), 6-1.

In the final Hussey was against week 2 winner Hamish Stewart. Both players fought hard in the first set and forced a tiebreak. In the breaker Hussey eased through and took the lead. The second set saw Hussey dominate Stewart and claim his first UK Pro League title 7-6(3), 6-2.

 

 

Other Placings

Eliz Maloney defeated Alice Gillan 6-4, 6-4 to finish third.

Joshua Goodger defeated Louis Bowden 3-6, 7-5, 10-3 to finish third.

Danielle Daly defeated Summer Yardley 6-4, 6-1 to finish fifth.

Sean Hodkin defeated Harry Wendelken 1-0 (RET) to finish fifth.

Dan Little defeated Brandon Murphy 6-4, 6-0 to finish seventh.

Michelle Dzjachangirova defeated Alessia Popescu 7-6(2), 4-6, 10-7.

UK Pro League returns W/C 7th May 2023 in Aldershot.