Chichester juniors dominate south-east tennis tournament

Chichester Racquets & Fitness Club hosted the LTA 2016 south-east junior tour open tournament.
Some of the winning juniors at CR&FC with referee Peter CookSome of the winning juniors at CR&FC with referee Peter Cook
Some of the winning juniors at CR&FC with referee Peter Cook

This annual competition was a grade-five event and the first in a series of tournaments to be staged at the club this summer.

Five age group events were organised – eight and under red and nine and under orange mixed singles, 12 and under boys and 12 and under girls’ singles plus a 16 and under boys’ singles. There were more than 36 entries from Sussex, Surrey, Oxfordshire and Hampshire.

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The eight and under mixed singles saw Arran Goode of Chichester Racquets & Fitness Club win bronze, Savva Sujetov from PTA silver, with the gold going to Diego Savage-Melendez from Chichester Tennis Academy, who won the final 10-7. The nine and under event was won by Freddie Whitby, a CR&FC member who beat Amber Sisman in the final 7-3, 7-3. Bronze went to William Addleton after he beat Alexander Rennie.

In the 12 and under girls’ singles there was more success for the club and the Whitby family – Chichester’s Kitty Whitby won all four round- robin matches to secure the title. Second was Sienna Boyce (Hampshire) while bronze went to Kirsty Da Silva (Hampshire).

The 12 and under boys’ singles was claimed by Darcy Pycroft (West Worthing), who beat James Pollard (Chichester), 4-2, 1-4, 12-10 in the final.

Oscar Sievewright, No1 seed from Oxford, defeated Mark Mackie (Hampshire) to take third spot.

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In the concluding 16 and under boys’ singles competition, club junior Joe Phizackerley continued the Chichester success story, reaching the final but losing to No1 seed Cameron Gray from Leatherhead.

Tommy Mackie (Andover) was third.

Tournament referee Peter Cook said: “It was wonderful to welcome so many players, especially from other southern counties and Sussex clubs, to Chichester.

“The standard of play was exceptional and there were many entertaining and close encounters. Our own club juniors played exceptionally well and it was very encouraging to award three gold medals and two silver medals to our homegrown players.

“Everyone associated with the club has been working really hard to ensure the tournament’s success and this was achieved.”

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