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James Malleson

Webley-Smith headlines ITF & ATP Challenger Round Up | 27 Feb

James Malleson
Tennis

 

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By James Malleson

  • Emily Webley-Smith caps off a brilliant week by winning the Shamr El Sheikh title
  • A generally poor week as only a few qualified from their respective tournaments
  • Headline results of this week
  • A look ahead at key Brits in action next week
ITF & ATP CHALLENGERS – Highlights from this week, as Emily Webley-Smith picks up the title in Sharm EL Sheikh.

 

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Brit of the Week

Emily Webley-Smith is this weeks standout candidate as she swooped in to collect the $15,000 Egyptian ITF title in Sharm El Sheikh winning 6-3 6-4 against Julia Terzijska (Bulgaria). The win gave her a second title of the $10K tournament which she last won in 2014. She played the same level tournament last week – and lost in the final.

The Brit produced some fine performances during the earlier rounds and had to recover from a set down against Yuliya Hatouka (Belarus). But she continued to roll on to the final, where she produced a high level of quality to clinch the coastal city crown.

 

ATP Challenger Tour

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The challenger tournament of Bergamo includes a fairly illustrious list of previous winners Simone Bolelli and Fabrice Santoro to name a couple.

Unfortunately, the only two Brits that entered the tournament, fell at the first hurdle during qualifying. Lloyd Glasspool lost a close encounter to Laurynas Grigelis (Lithuania), 6-7(3) 6-3 7-6(2)whilst Liam Broady lost to Lorenzo Sonego (Italy), 7-6(2) 6-1.

We next turn our attention to the newer competition – the Morelos Open (Mexico). Luke Bambridge faired slightly better, managing to overcome Jackson Withrow (USA) 7-6(3) 6-3 in the first round of qualifying. However that is as far as he reached, losing to Ivan Endara (Equador) 6-4 6-4  in the second round of qualifying. The Brit did better in the doubles with partner Alex Lawson (USA) reaching the quarter finals but alas that is where their journey ended, losing 6-3 7-5.

 

ITF Pro Circuit

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Perth was the main city of interest for the British women this week. The $25,000 tournament contained 3 Brits, but sadly, no-one made it past qualifying. Harriet Dart came closest, losing to Zoe Hives (Australia) 4-6 6-3 6-1 in the third round of qualifying whilst Freya Christie lost in the first round of qualifying to Viktorija Rajicic (Australia).

Gabriella Taylor fared slightly better but still only managed to reach the second round of qualifying losing 6-4 7-6 to Ling Zhang (Hong Kong). In the main draw Katy Dunne lost a close battle, to Kyoka Okamura (Japan) 7-5 4-6 6-4 in the first round.

The $15,000 tournament held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt played host to Manisha Foster. After successfully qualifying, she unfortunately lost in the first round to Pemra Ozgen (Turkey) 6-1 6-1.

Another tournament this week included a handful of Brits- the $15,000 Palmanova situated on the Balearic Island of Mallorca, hosted them. However, none of the British players managed to qualify for the main tournament draw.

Francesca Jones entered the $15,000 Hammamet tournament as a wildcard but that is as far as she got, losing  to Chieh-Yu Hsu (Chinese Tapei) 5-7 6-1 6-1.

 And lastly, the $15,000 Antalya tournament in Turkey featured just the one Brit. However, Bronte Murgett only managed to reach the second round in qualifying, faltering to Maryna Chernyshova (Russia) 6-4 6-0.

Headline Results of the Week

 

Tournament Player/s Won/Lost Round Score
Morelos Open Bambridge&Lawson  Lost  Quarter Final  6-3 7-5
Perth Katy Dunne Lost First Round 7-5 4-6 6-4
Sharm El Sheikh Manisha Foster Lost First Round 6-1 6-1
Sharm El Sheikh Emily Webley-Smith  Won  Final  6-3 6-4

 

Next Week

Edward Corrie is in action in the Wroclaw Challenger tournament in Poland. Meanwhile, Christie,  Dunne, Dart  and Katie Boulder make appearances in the first round of $25000 Claire Valley Tournament. Foster may qualify for the $15000 Sharm El Sheikh tournament so fingers crossed there. Suzy Larkin gets her campaign under way in Macon. Matos Sequiera Fernandes looks to qualify in the $15000 Palmanova (Mallorca). Jones will also look to qualify in Hammamet. Mirabelle Njoze will be starting in the main draw in the $15000 Antalya tournament.

 

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