Club tournament men's SINGLES final

Hello everyone,


Oli and Laurence played an absorbing, high-quality final on Saturday, with Laurence eventually coming out on top 1-6, 6-4, 6-1. As you'd expect from two such athletic players, there was some terrific retrieving, but there was also a lot of enterprising attacking play with frequent forays to the net from both of them.

In a hard-fought first set, Oli seemed to have an answer to everything Laurence threw his way, and it wouldn't have been a surprise if the second had continued in much the same vein. But Laurence dug in and gradually began to make headway. It was tight throughout, and they reached deuce at 5-4, but that was the closest Oli came. 

As the third set wore on, both players continued to win well-constructed rallies, but Laurence gradually began to establish a bit of a stranglehold, making full use of his top-spin forehand and charging to the net at every opportunity. By contrast, Oli's game was no longer looking quite so robust, and one or two volleys went awry at crucial points.

It was a very enjoyable match to watch, one of those where it was a shame there had to be a loser. And it made me want to get out on court and play more singles! Does anyone else feel the same?

So that's the club tournament done and dusted for another year. Thanks again to Shingo and Matt for organising it.

Mike