Billy Harris during the 2020 British Tour https://britwatchsports.com/tennis/
Billy Harris during the 2020 British Tour | (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images for LTA)

Tennis | UK Pro League | Billy Harris & Sonay Kartal claim titles in week 6

By Glenys Furness

  • Sonay Kartal took back to back titles
  • Billy Harris claimed title after dropping the first match
LONDON, UK – Sonay Kartal & Billy Harris took the crowns in week 6 of the UK Pro League. Harris lost one match in the round robin, Sonay Kartal claimed victories in all her matches.

 

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Billy Harris kicked off the week 6 with a first match against Joshua Paris. Harris stayed toe to toe with Paris in the first set forcing a tiebreak. The breaker was tight, however Paris edged ahead and took the lead. In the second set Paris totally dominated Harris and lost only one game to take the win 7-6(6), 6-1.

On Tuesday Harris was facing Jack Gibbens. The 26 year old was determined to bounce back from the day before. Harris dominated the first set, breaking Gibbens twice to take the set. In the second set Harris continued to dominate and soon had the match in the bag taking his first win of the week 6-2, 6-2.

In the quarter-final Harris was against Jack Pinnington-Jones. Harris dominated the first set, losing only one game to take the lead. The second set was closer as Pinnington-Jones fought hard to pull the match level. However, Harris secured the break of serve needed to move into the next round 6-1, 6-4.

The semi-final pitched Harris against Julian Cash. Harris secured the vital break of serve to seal the first set. However, Cash mounted a fightback in the second set. Cash stayed toe to toe with Harris and forced a tiebreak. In the breaker Cash edged ahead and levelled up the match. In the ensuing final set match tiebreak Harris dominated to move into the final 6-4, 6-7(11), 10-2.

In the final Harris was against Charles Broom. Harris again broke in the first set to take the lead. However, Broom was not going quietly, and secured a break of serve to level up the match. Once again, a match tiebreak was going to decide the victor. Just like in the semi-final Harris totally dominated the match tiebreak and took the title 6-3, 3-6, 10-2.

Ladies event

In the ladies event week 5 winner Sonay Kartal rounded off the first days play with her match against India Rojano. Kartal was in dominating form, no matter what Rojano tried Kartal had the measure of her. The 25 year old Rojano was unable to win a game as Kartal moved through 6-0, 6-0.

On Tuesday Kartal was against Katarina Stresnakova. Kartal broke the Slovakian serve in the first set and took the lead. Stresnakova re-grouped in the second set, staying with the Brit. The Slovakian managed to break serve of the Brit and levelled up the match. In the match tiebreak, both players fought hard, but it was Kartal who edged through to take the win 6-3, 5-7, 10-7.

In the quarter-final Kartal was against Eliz Maloney. Kartal dominated the first set, with Maloney struggling to hold serve. Kartal took the first set with ease. In the second set Maloney mounted a fight back and stayed with Kartal. However, the week 5 winner secured the break of serve right at the end of the set to take the match in straight sets 6-1, 7-5.

The semi-final saw Kartal against Danielle Daly. The first set was dominated by Kartal who didn’t drop a game, despite the best efforts of Daly. In the second set Daly upped her game and managed to break the serve of Kartal to level up the match. In the ensuing match tiebreak the players stayed close, however, Kartal edged ahead to book the spot in the final 6-0, 4-6, 11-9.

The final was a rematch of Tuesday as Kartal was against Katarina Stresnakova again. However, this time the match was much easier for the Brit. The Slovakian struggled against the power of Kartal who dominated both sets to take the title 6-1, 6-2.

Other Results

Julian Cash defeated Henry Patten 6-4, 6-4 to finish third

Tiffany William defeated Danielle Daly 7-5, 2-1 (RET) to finish third

Sean Hodkin defeated by Joshua Paris 6-3, 7-6(5) to finish fifth

Alice Gillan defeated Eliz Maloney 7-5, 7-6(3) to finish fifth

Evan Hoyt defeated Liam Hignett 6-4, 6-2 to finish seventh

Lauryn John-Baptiste defeated Maddie Brooks 6-3, 6-1 to finish seventh

Pro-league returns 13th September at Bath University.