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West Heath Club Tournament 2000Men's Singles Ladies' Singles Men's Doubles Ladies' Doubles Mixed Doubles Match Reports Player Bios
The Ladies Doubles final was postponed as Lesley South was injured in the Ladies Singles final. Did you know?Since Concorde went into service 26 years ago, this is the first year that neither Sultan Gangji nor Mark Stapleton have been in the men's singles final. Jane Boyle also won her first ladies singles in 1974, and then won every year except one up until 1981. This year's ladies' singles title represents a return to winning form after a 19 year break. Most of our finalists have LTA inter-club ratings. Click here to find out more.
Men's Singles Ladies' Singles Men's Doubles Ladies' Doubles Mixed Doubles Match Reports Player Bios
Men's Singles Ladies' Singles Men's Doubles Ladies' Doubles Mixed Doubles Match Reports Player Bios
Men's Singles Ladies' Singles Men's Doubles Ladies' Doubles Mixed Doubles Match Reports Player Bios
Men's Singles Ladies' Singles Men's Doubles Ladies' Doubles Mixed Doubles Match Reports Player Bios
Men's Singles Ladies' Singles Men's Doubles Ladies' Doubles Mixed Doubles Match Reports Player Bios Match ReportsLadies' Open Singles Semi - Lesley South vs Janet O'ConnorLesley won this match 6-4 6-2. We are indebted to Janet for a frank account of this match. Apparently it was a lot closer than the score indicated as most games went to deuce - even in the second set. This report has not been corroborated with independent observers. Mens Doubles Semi-final - Miles and Martin Raybould vs Sultan Gangji and Kevin RyanYour intrepid reporter missed the first set of this match which went 6-4 to the veterans (Sultan and Kevin). In the second set Kevin was struggling with his serve but the games went with serve until 4 all. Then Kevin was broken by the power of Miles' and the native cunning of Martin's service returns. The third set might have gone the same way, but the veterans broke Martin's service early with low returns to Martin's feet before he reached the service line. Kevin then served well to hold and Miles' service power opened the third-set account for the father-and-son team, giving 3-1 to the vets. Sultan held and Martin's second service game contained the point of the tournament. The crowd were in raptures as Miles used his speed to move from corner to corner to atone for the slowing reflexes at the net of his dad. Unfortunately the experience of the vets told on this point, and the service game too, to leave Kevin to close out the match. This match definitely merited cover on the evening highlights show. Mens Singles Semi-final - Mark Sapleton vs Miles RaybouldYour intrepid reporter again missed the first set of this match which went 6-3 to Miles, although Mark did break Miles in this set. In the second set Mark was again struggling to hold his serve against some superb returns by Miles which were hit with vicious topspin. By contrast Miles gave away very little opportunities on his serve, and was the deserved winner in straight sets 6-1 6-2. Mixed Doubles Final - Janet O'Connor and Peter Phillips vs Lesley South and Sultan GangjiIn the first set some fine tennis was played and the outcome looked close. Lesley and Sultan did well to break Janet's serve early on for a 4-2 lead, but Lesley could not maintain the pace and Peter and Janet took advantage twice to close out the set. In the second set Peter and Janet raced away with it, and Sultan and Lesley could see not way back. Lesley decided to save her legs for the other two finals, and the affair was settled in straight sets. The final score was 7-5 6-2.
It was reported that, after the Gourmet Dinner and a bottle or two of wine,
Lesley was so distraught at her failure to hold her
serve that she was going home to practise throwing up!
Men's Singles Final - Miles Raybould vs Peter PhillipsIn the first set Miles belied his youth by getting off to a very composed start. Before Peter realised what had happened he was 4-0 down. Peter then picked himself up and produced some of his best tennis to pull back to 4-2. Miles then regained control, held serve, then broke Peter for 6-2. In the second set the pattern was much the same, although Peter offered Sterling resistance to get 3-5 down but 15-40 up on Miles' service, but Miles then produced a series of spectacular winners to serve out the set and match as the worthy winner of his first West Heath singles title. No doubt there will be many more to come should he chose to compete in the annual Club tournament. Ladies's Singles Final - Lesley South vs Jane BoyleLast time Jane won this event was nineteen years ago (1981 as reported by Gillian Green from the Evening Standard). The match was enthralling and invigorating but the injured Lesley lacked the vitality that was required to impose herself on Jane's game. In the first set there were some fabulous topspin passing shots from both players and angled volley from Jane which eventually gave her the first set 6-2. The score in no way reflected the close-fought nature of the set. In the second set Lesley's old wound recurred which increasingly handicapped the defending champion who, by the end of the set, was barely able to move at all. However, she bravely continued to continue the spectacle the vociferous crowd demanded. Jane took the second set 6-1 as a result. Congratulations to the deserved winner and commiserations to our gallant loser. Men's Doubles Final - Peter Phillips and Mark Stapleton vs Sultan Gangji and Kevin RyanThe injury toll had been mounting in the tournament, and there were concerns that Sultan and Kevin, with only two good legs between them might be less mobile than the opposition. And so it proved, with Mark and Peter correctly taking full advantage. In the first set Sultan was broken early. The agressive serving of Mark and Peter and some superb low volleying by Peter when serving closed off the escape route. The second service break gave the "youngsters" the first set 6-2. In the second set Sultan came alive as a result of vociferous female support from the sidelines (led by Janet O'Connor). The "golden oldies" put up a good fight, but Kevin was broken early on, and, with Peter and Mark still giving little away, the inevitable result was reached to give victory to Peter and Mark 6-2 6-2 Men's Singles Ladies' Singles Men's Doubles Ladies' Doubles Mixed Doubles Match Reports Player Bios Player BiographiesMark StapletonStrong right-hander who deserted West Heath this year to play league matches for David Lloyd in the Intermediate division. Of late Mark has usually won the men's singles, but the competition this year from Miles Raybould in the semis was too stiff. Mark is married to the delectable Ludmilla whom he partnered in the mixed doubles, thus nipping in the bud any suspicions of mixed doubles pot hunting which could be levelled at the stronger men players. Unfortunately the husband and wife team fell to Janet and Peter early in the final week. Mark atoned for these early defeats with a victory in the men's doubles, partnered by Peter Phillips. Miles RaybouldBred and trained by the well-know Raybould tennis stables and having shed his junior mantle, Miles now plays for Chandos. His power and speed about court are legendary, but he can be inconsistent under pressure - but who is going to put him under pressure? Having beaten Mark Stapleton in the men's singles, as predicted, he took the title in decisive manner against Peter Phillips. Sultan GangjiRumours has it that Sultan recently resigned his post as Head of Officiating at the LTA in order to concentrate on this year's club tournament. We were tipping Sultan to be in all three finals, but this year two finals had to be the limit. Inside sources suggested that a hip problem was responsible for a poor performance in the singles semi-final in which Peter Phillips went through. The mixed doubles final with Lesley resulted in a loss to Peter Phillips partnered by Janet O'Connor. And Sultan and Kevin lost in the mens doubles final to - you guessed it - Peter Phillips, this time partnered by Mark Stapleton. So no silverware for Sultan this year. Peter PhillipsAs owner of Preston Sports Peter is in the trade. Peter is a solid doubles player and is clearly playing well this year as he made all three finals, including the singles, in which he beat the semi-final odds to eliminate Sultan. Peter's first finals victory this year was the mixed, taking the title with Janet O'Connor. Perhaps predictably, Peter was beaten by Miles Raybould in the singles final, but there was also a doubles final victory over Sultan and Kevin when Peter partnered Mark Stapleton. There can be no doubt that, Miles Raybould excepted, Peter is the in-form regular West Heath player this year. Kevin RyanKevin is a very good doubles player and steady under pressure although his singles record does not match his doubles ranking. It is a pity that a leg injury plus Sultan's hip problem did not allow them to reproduce some of their form of earlier years in the mens's doubles final, which they lost to Mark Stapleton and Peter Phillips. Lesley SouthLesley is much improved last year and this, due to a strenous training regime (cycling to and from work, the club and her house in West London). Perhaps the training was too much because, in the ladies' final, she suffered an early hip injury which left her looking decidedly lop-sided, and must have contributed somewhat to her loss to Jane Boyle. The doubles final also had to be postponed until she is again fit. Jane BoyleJane has provided the big upset of the tournament so far by beating Liz Goodfellow in the semi's. Jane has been training hard for the grass court tournament and has shed one or two pounds to bring herself to a trim fit powerhouse for the occasion. Her new streamlined haircut (much praised within the club) has also improved her movement about court. Jane last had her name on the trophy 19 years ago, but was determined to seize her opportunity once more this year. Lesley might have been able to stop her, but Jane was playing too well and deservedly sees her name on the trophy after the large gap following her 1981 victory. Janet O'ConnorJanet has traditionally been finals material, but there were whispers that her new loves have blunted the cutting edge of her game. The dogs themselves denied it when asked, of course, and Janet has now proved herself once more by taking the mixed with Peter. Although Janet is out of the singles she may still be hungry enough to win the women's doubles with Jane. Liz GoodfellowLiz's progress in the singles came to an abrupt halt but she still has a chance to win some silver with Lesley in the doubles, whenever her partner is again fit. The LTA Official ViewThe LTA have an inter-club rating scheme for players who register. You get an initial rating, then ratings are updated regularly based on your tournament results. The ratings of our club finalists are on the LTA web site (click on the underlined link above) and can be years out of date (mine is). They are:-
3.1 - Miles Raybould Men's Singles Ladies' Singles Men's Doubles Ladies' Doubles Mixed Doubles Match Reports Player Bios |
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