We have a new Ladies champion in Kate Potts, who finally wore down Natalie Lyons 6/3 7/5 in an engrossing baseline battle- very short on dropshots and volleys but absorbing viewing with Kate just having the strength of groundstrokes to find a chink in Natalie’s wall.
Most unusually,the Mens Singles was halted at set-all to be decided later: Vincent looked very impressive taking the first very high-quality set 6/3 but then turned an ankle in the first game of the second; he gamely continued and Patrick took advantage only to pull a stomach muscle but managed to level the match 7/6; a third set was impossible for the wounded warriors so it was agreed to play the decided when both are fit.
The considerable crowd’s disappointment at this was rapidly dissolved by Kirsty, Natalie, Morvern and Melanie who staged a magnificent two and a half hour Ladies Doubles final; Kirsty and Natalie just managed to retain their title 7/6 4/6 8/6 having saved a match point and let slip 5/2 leads in the first and third sets- a memorable match.
So another great day in the sun helped not least by Radek’s BBQ.
Watch this space for the dates of the other finals….
