By Glenys Furness
- Lauryn John-Baptiste claims back to back titles
- John-Baptiste dropped one set en route
- Julian Cash lost one match but still won the title
BISHAM ABBEY, MARLOW – Lauryn John-Baptiste and Julian Cash claimed the titles in week nine of the pro league event.
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Lauryn John-Baptiste started Tuesday as the previous winner. The 22 year old played Nadia Rawson in her first pool match. The week eight winner started strongly against Rawson and broke serve to take the lead. The second set followed a similar pattern. No matter what 23 year old Rawson threw at John-Baptiste the younger player was up to it. John-Baptiste broke to start her week off with a straight set win 6-4, 6-3.
On Wednesday the 22 year old was against Maddie Brooks. The 32 year old was out played by John-Baptiste who dominated the first set. Brooks struggled to hold serve and the 22 year old took the lead. In the second set, the youngster was in full control. John-Baptiste broke at will as Brooks again struggled to hold serve. The week eight champion secured her second pool win 6-2, 6-1.
Thursday saw John-Baptiste in the quarter-final against Millie Bissett. The 18 year old stayed toe to toe with the 22 year old in the first set. John-Baptiste eventually secured the vital break of serve to take the lead. The second set saw the week eight winner dominate and move into the semi-final 6-4, 6-2.
In Saturday’s semi-final John-Baptiste was against Emma Wilson. The first set was close as both players wanted to advance to the final. 24 year old Wilson was not able to break serve, however, the 22 year old was and John-Baptiste took the lead. The second set saw the week eight winner step things up and again break serve of Wilson to book a spot in the final 6-4, 6-3.
The final saw John-Baptiste against Katie Stresnakova. The Slovakian actually made the better start and dominated the first set. The Brit struggled to hold serve as Stresnakova took control and took the lead. However, John-Baptiste re-grouped and started the second set much better. The Brit was dominating the set when the Slovakian was forced to retire from the match, handing the young Brit the win 2-6, 5-1 (RET).
Men’s event
Julian Cash started the week on Tuesday against Jack Gibbens. The first set was competitive with Cash and Gibbens going toe to toe. Eventually the 25 year old secured the break of serve to seal the set and take the lead. The second set was all one way traffic as Cash dominated Gibbens. The younger Brit was unable to hold serve and Cash moved on with his first pool win of the week 6-4, 6-0.
Wednesday saw Cash against Liam Hignett. The 25 year old dominated the first set as the 21 year old struggled to hold serve. Cash soon had the first set in the bag. The second was a little closer as Hignett tried to mount a fightback. However, the older Brit secured a break of serve and took his second pool win of the week 6-2, 6-3.
Thursday saw Cash against Indian Vijay Prashanth. This was the trickiest match so far for the Brit. The Indian managed to break the serve of Cash in the first set and took the lead. The second set was much closer. The Brit and Prashanth stayed toe to toe and forced a tiebreak. The Indian dominated the breaker and took the pool match in straight sets 6-4, 7-6 (3).
Saturday saw Cash in the semi-final (courtsey of his two pool wins) and was against Ewan Moore. Moore stayed with Cash for most of the first set, however, the 25 year old secured the break of serve required to take the lead. The younger Brit tried to fight back in the second set. Cash, however, was not having any of it. The 25 year old once again secured the break of serve to book a spot in the final 6-4, 6-3.
In the final Cash was against Joshua Paris. Cash and Paris fought well to try and break serve. Eventually it was Cash that broke through and took the lead. In the second set Cash dominated. No matter what Paris tried Cash was equal to it. Cash secured the win and his place in finals week 6-3, 6-2.
Other Places
Emma Wilson defeated Holly Hutchinson to finish third 6-3, 6-2.
Dan Little defeated Ewan Moore to finish third 7-6(6), 4-6, 10-2.
Nadia Rawson defeated Danielle Daly to finish fifth 6-4, 3-6, 10-8.
Alexis Canter defeated Sean Hodkin to finish fifth 6-3, 6-2.
The final week of the Pro League takes place w/c 8th November at Shrewsbury
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