- Emily Appleton won the second week without dropping a set
- Anton Matusevich only dropped on set en route to the win.
LOUGHBOROUGH, UK – Emily Appleton & Anton Matusevich claimed the victories in week 2 of the UK Pro League. Appleton did not drop a set all week, Matusevich dropped only the one set.
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Emily Appleton came into week 2 of the Pro League series having won the first week. In her first match on Monday Appleton was against Kimberly Mpukusa. The 21 year old dominated the match, with Mpukusa struggling to stay with Appleton. No matter what Mpukusa tried Appleton was equal to it and claimed the victory in straight sets 6-2, 6-0.
Tuesday saw Appleton against Olivia Nicholls. This match was closer than the previous one. Nicholls stayed with Appleton for most of the first set. The 21 year old secured the vital break of serve though to take the lead. In the second set Appleton showed no mercy and continued the form from the first set. Nicholls lost her serve and that was all the 21 year old needed. Two wins from two in the round robin, another straight sets win 6-4, 6-3.
Wednesday saw Appleton up against Annali Olivelle. The 19 year old was no match for Appleton, who strolled through the match. Serving up a double bagel to Olivelle who struggled all match to hold serve. Appleton wasted no time in this match and made it three from three with another straight sets win 6-0, 6-0.
Thursday saw Appleton against Freya Christie. The first set was very close, as both pushed hard to break serve. Ultimately, it was Appleton that made the breakthrough and held on to take the lead. The second set was much easier for the 21 year old, as Christie just could not hold serve and Appleton made it four from four with another straight sets win 6-4, 6-0.
Friday saw Appleton up against Eliz Maloney. The 21 year old dominated the first set with Maloney unable to prevent Appleton from breaking serve and taking the lead. The second set was much the same, although Maloney did hold an extra game than before. Ultimately Appleton moved into the semi-final with a perfect record and straight set win 6-2, 6-3.
In the semi-final Appleton was up against the runner up in pool B Alice Gillan. The 21 year old dominated Gillan in the first set taking an early lead and not looking back. The second set saw Gillan hold serve twice, but this was to no avail as Appleton continued the domination to book a spot in the final 6-0, 6-2.
The final was a rematch of Friday, with Appleton once again against Eliz Maloney. This time, Maloney managed to hold serve more, and Appleton had to fight just a little harder to break serve. In the end Appleton made the breakthrough in each set and claimed the win in straight sets 6-3, 6-3.
Appleton has won both of the first two weeks of the Pro League series so far.
Men’s event
Over on the men’s side of the event Anton Matusevich started his campaign on Monday against Alexis Canter. The 19 year old started very well, and broke the serve of Canter in the first set. No matter what Canter tried he was unable to break back. Matusevich kept the pressure up and repeated the feat in the second set. The 19 year old won in straight sets 6-3, 6-3.
Tuesday saw Matusevich against Daniel Cox. The young brit totally dominated his opponent, as Cox struggled to hold serve. The 19 year old continued to dominate the second set and completed a two wins from two by taking the match in straight sets 6-2, 6-2.
On Wednesday the 19 year old was against George Houghton. This was a much closer match as Matusevich had to fight hard to obtain the break of serve required in each set. Houghton proved to be a very worthy opponent, as Matusevich finally secured the win to go three from three, in straight sets 6-4, 6-4.
Thursday pitted the 19 year old against Billy Harris. The first set was a very very close affair as Harris held his nerve and his serve forcing a tiebreak. Matusevich got the mini break and didn’t look back. After losing the tiebreak Harris seemed to lose his game completely, as the 19 year old dominated the second set to go four from four in straight sets 7-6(4), 6-1.
On Friday the 19 year old was against Julian Cash. Matusevich once again found a formidable opponent as the first set the players were toe to toe. In the tiebreak, the 19 year old edged ahead and took the lead. In the second set Matusevich managed to break the serve of Cash, keeping his 100% record and straight sets wins 7-6(4), 6-3.
In the semi-final Matusevich was against the runner up of pool B which was Sean Hodkin. Both players were toe to toe in the first set, before the 19 year old secured the vital break of serve right at the end of the set. Matusevich then dominated the second to move into the final still without dropping a set 7-5, 6-2.
The final saw the 19 year old against the winner of pool A Mark Whitehouse. Matusevich dominated the first set as Whitehouse struggled to stay with him. The 19 year old claimed the first set, and appeared on course for another straight set victory. However, Whitehouse regrouped and at 1-3 down fought back to force a tiebreak. The 27 year old completed the set comeback by dominating the tiebreak to level up. Fittingly the match went to a match tiebreak. This was very close until Matusevich got a mini break and Whitehouse was unable to get back on terms. The 19 year old sealed the win in week two 6-2, 6-7(3), 10-6.
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Other finishing positions
Dan Cox defeated Sean Hodkin 6-1, 6-2 to finish third
Sarah-Beth Grey defeated Alice Gillan 6-1, 6-2 to finish third
Freya Christie defeated Olivia Nicholls 6-4, 6-4 to finish fifth
Bill Harris defeated Jack Findel-Hawkins 6-4, 6-4 to finish fifth
George Houghton defeated Oscar Weightman 6-3, 5-7, 10-2 to finish seventh
Nadia Rawson defeated Danielle Daly 3-2 (RET) to finish seventh
Julian Cash defeated Jonathan Gray 6-1, 6-2 to finish ninth
Kylie Bilchev defeated Tanysha Dissanayake 6-3, 7-6(2) to finish ninth
Kimberly Mpukusa defeated Annali Olivelle 6-3, 3-6, 11-9 to finish eleventh
Harry Wendelken defeated Tom Hands 6-3, 4-6, 10-4 to finish eleventh
Next Week Brits play in Miami, Lugano, Egypt, India, Tunisia & Argentina.
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