ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 18: A ball kid holds tennis balls during the men's singles grand final between Lloyd Harris of South Africa and Andrey Rublev of Russia on day seven of the 2020 Adelaide International at Memorial Drive on January 18, 2020 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Tennis | UK Pro League | Sonay Kartal & Charles Broom win in week 5

By Glenys Furness

  • Sonay Kartal dropped only one set all week
  • Kartal defeated the League top player in the final
  • Broom didn’t drop a set until the final
ALDERSHOT, UK – Sonay Kartal and  Charles Broom claimed the titles in week 5 as the UK Pro League returned. Kartal defeated to top League player in the final.

 

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The UK Pro League returned this week, with Emily Appleton currently sitting in the top position, having won three of the last four weeks. Sonay Kartal had previously made semi-finals in the event. Kartal kicked off the week on Monday playing Holly Hutchinson.

The 19 year old totally dominated the match against Hutchinson. Kartal took the game to Hutchinson from the start, not giving anything away. Kartal broke more or less at will as her opponent struggled to hold serve. The 19 year old was in total control and won the match 6-2, 6-1.

Kartal next played on Wednesday where the 19 year old was against Amelia Bissett. Kartal dominated the first set, as Bissett struggled to hold serve. The 19 year old took the lead. Bissett re-grouped in the second set and stayed with Kartal. Bissett managed to break serve and level the match. In the ensuing match tiebreak it was Bissett who edged through and took the win 1-6, 6-4, 10-7.

Thursday was quarter-final day and Kartal was against Eliz Maloney. Both players fought hard in the first set, going toe-to-toe. Kartal managed to break through and secure the lead right at the end of the set. The second set was all one way traffic as the 19 year old dominated to book a spot in the semi-final 7-5, 6-0.

In the semi-final Kartal was facing Grace Piper. The 19 year old secured the break of serve and managed to hold on to take the first set. The second set was much closer. Piper stayed toe-to-toe with Kartal and forced a tiebreak. Piper tried hard in the breaker, but Kartal was just too strong and moved into the final 6-3, 7-6.

The final saw Kartal against the player topping the league Emily Appleton. Kartal started well breaking Appleton, however the top player broke back to get back on serve. Eventually though Kartal obtained another break of serve to take the lead. The second set saw Kartal race into a substantial lead, however, Appleton was not going away. With the score at 5-3 and serving for the match the 19 year old got tight and serve some double faults. Appleton broke to bring the score back closed. Kartal however, was more relaxed and broke Appleton to take the win and the week 5 title 6-3, 6-4.

Men’s draw

Charles Broom started the week on Monday with a match against Sean Hodkin. The 23 year old stayed toe to toe with Hodkin and forced a tiebreak. In the breaker Broom edged ahead of Hodkin and secured the set. In the second set Broom managed to break Hodkin and secure the victory 7-6(4), 6-3.

On Tuesday Broom second round opponent was Patrick Foley. The 23 year old dominated both sets, with Foley struggling to hold serve. No matter what Foley tried, Broom was equal to it. The 23 year old had little trouble sealing the second win of the week 6-2, 6-2.

In the quarter-final on Thursday Broom was against Joshua Paris. The first set was dominated by Broom, who once again had very little trouble breaking serve to move into the lead. The second set was slightly closer as Paris managed to hold serve more. However, Broom still secured the vital break to move into the semi-final 6-2, 6-3.

The semi-final on Saturday pitched Broom against Lui Maxted. The 23 year old dominated once again, losing only one game each set. Maxted was out played in the semi-final, there was nothing that Maxted could do to stop Broom moving into the final 6-1, 6-1.

In the final Broom was up against Julian Cash. Neither player had made the final at the Pro League before. The first set was very tight, with neither player giving an inch and a tiebreak ensued. In the breaker it was Broom that edged ahead to take the lead. In the second set Cash fought back and managed to break serve and level up the match. In the final match tiebreak Cash took the lead but Broom fought back and edged the win 7-6, 4-6, 12-10.

Other finishing places

Max Basing defeated Lui Maxted 6-3, 6-4 to finish third.

Grace Piper defeated Amelia Bissett 6-1, 7-5 to finish third.

Anna Brogan defeated Freya Christie 6-3, 6-4 to finish fifth.

Jack Gibbens defeated Oscar Weightman 3-6, 6-4, 13-11 to finish fifth.

Sean Hodkin defeated Liam Hignett 2-6, 7-6(9), 12-10 to finish seventh.

Eliz Maloney defeated JojoBach 6-1, 6-4 to finish seventh.

Pro League returns 23rd August 2021