Some of our Tennis members have been in action at both County level and at recent ITF tournaments held at St Georges Hill, Weybridge and at Wimbledon. Here follows some individual reports and results for you to read: –

Our Head Coach, Ashley Neaves reports: –

I started in Eastbourne, playing in the over 35s county cup for Hampshire. I was playing singles at number one so I had some tough matches. I managed to get a win against the Cambridgeshire number 1 and the Norfolk number one and lost to the Hertfordshire number one (Ed Corrie) who has a 1-0 record against Alexander Zverev, so not too bad. After getting promoted to division three last year we managed to stay up in a really strong group. Next, I played in the British closed ITF masters event at Wimbledon reaching the semifinals for the second year running. One match in particular in the quarter-finals was brutal, lasting more than four hours in 35° heat but managed to come through against the number three seed & World number 32, 6-1 in the third set. I eventually got knocked out by defending champion, Pedro Ocana, who ended up winning in the final convincingly. Alongside competing myself, I was proud to see fellow club members competing in the tournament. A big well done to Viola Masona, Anna Newman and Ian Udal – who managed to take Home a doubles trophy and nice to see Katy and Andy Rowley supporting too – wishing Katy a speedy recovery with her Achilles. It was such an incredible experience to compete on the lawns of Wimbledon and hope to see more Avenue members there next year.

Ian Udal reports: –

*Avenue Members Enjoy Success on the ITF Masters Tennis Tour*

Several Avenue members enjoyed notable success in recent grass-court events on the ITF Masters Tennis Tour. At the prestigious St George’s Hill Tennis Club in Weybridge, which hosted an MT400 event, four Avenue members took to the courts. Viola Masona competed in three events and reached the semi-finals of the Over-55 doubles, partnering Canadian Jeannette Loakman. Katie Rowley was also enjoying an excellent tournament, reaching the semi-finals of both the Over-55 singles and doubles before injury unfortunately brought her campaign to an early end. Ian Udal narrowly missed out on a place in the Over-55 singles final, losing his semi-final 10-8 in a championship tie-break. He went on to make amends in the doubles, however, winning the Over-55 title alongside partner Charles Durham. Richard Steeds also enjoyed success in the Over-60 doubles, partnering Rajiv Batra. The pair came through two tense championship tie-breaks, winning their semi-final 10-7 and the final 10-8 to claim the title. The action then moved to Wimbledon for the British Masters National Championships (MT700), held on the grass courts of Aorangi Park at the All England Club in scorching temperatures. Viola Masona was beaten in her opening Over-55 singles match and, partnering Anna Newman in the doubles, could not overcome a tough challenge against high-level opposition. Richard Steeds, partnering Paul England, also competed in the Over-60 doubles but suffered a narrow first-round defeat to the eventual finalists, losing 10-5 in the championship tie-break. Avenue coach Ashley Neaves produced an impressive run in the Over-35 singles, overcoming some stiff opposition to reach the semi-finals. His run eventually came to an end against the top seed and eventual champion, who won 6-3, 6-1. Ian Udal reached the quarter-finals of the Over-55 singles, where he faced the top seed and eventual champion, who was also the world number one. Ian was beaten 6-1, 6-3 but bounced back strongly in the doubles. After several hard-fought matches in the Over-55 doubles, Ian and partner Charles Durham secured the national title, adding another major achievement to an already successful run of tournaments for the Avenue members. With titles, semi-final appearances and strong performances across both events, the Avenue players can look back on an impressive showing on the Masters grass-court circuit.

Viola Masona reports:

Both Weybridge and Wimbledon were very positive experiences. At Weybridge, I played singles, mixed and ladies doubles with Jeannette Loakman in the quarter finals winning 6-3, 6-2. We then lost the semi-finals to the 1st seeds 6-3,6-1. We put up a good fight! Mixed dubs I played down in the O35s, partnering with an Italian guy but lost 6-1,6-2. At Wimbledon I lost my singles 6-1,6-0 to the lady who eventually won the title. Anna and I played our doubles and lost 6-1,6-0. Overall, it was a very positive experience and I feel that my tennis has improved a lot over the past few months.

Please also find details below of the Club tennis matches played and recorded

Portsmouth & District Winter League

Ladies Division 4 – Avenue 4 beat Abshot (3-1) – Sheila Drummond, Chloe Treagust, Chris Hill, Tina Leighton-Smith

Match report

The mercury was rising and there was an aura of hopeful optimism circling the hallowed turf in the moments before the match started.  No, not Pompey’s opening home game against QPR, but Avenue Ladies 4’s penultimate game of the season against Abshot CC . With temperatures high and shade in short supply, the match quickly became a test of endurance as well as technique. Both pairs were forced to adapt their tactics as the afternoon wore on. In their first rubber, rather than relying on power alone, Tina and Sheila used placement, lobs and controlled volleys (!) to conserve energy and keep their opponents moving. Changeovers offered brief relief, with water bottles and cool towels in constant use. We were pleased to win in straight sets 6-3, 6-3. Chloe and Chris had more of a battle on their hands, beating Abshot’s 1st pair 6-4, 4-6 and 10-6 in the championship tiebreak. So at the halfway stage, Avenue were up 2-0. Chloe and Chris gave a very good account of themselves in their second rubbing, winning 6-0, 7-5 and earning plaudits from the home spectators. Tina and Sheila had several opportunities to win their second rubber in straight sets, but after a convincing 6-1 in the first set, and being up 5-3 in the second, they wilted in the afternoon heat, and allowed their opponents to come back at them and win. Our last match of the summer season is away to Denmead on Sunday September 6th, and we hope that we can collect a few more points before we regroup, recharge, and return for the Winter season. Sheila Drummond

Mens Division 3 – Avenue 3 lost to CourtX 5 (1-3) – Matt Hotchkiss, Andy Gilliatt, Adam Tolmie, Ian Marks

Mens Division 4 – Avenue 4 winning draw v Ryde Mead 2 (2-2) – Ian Hedges, Ant Spencer, Graham Cotterill, Jamie Newman

Match report

Tough match today they had 4 good players, but not good enough to beat us 👊 well played everyone Jamie kept me going 👏👏. Graham Cotterill

Mixed Division 1 – Avenue 1 lost to Warsash 1 (1-3) – James Rosenthal, Viola Masona, Harri Rowley, Lee Harvie-Wood

Mixed Division 2 – Avenue 3 lost to Ryde Mead (0-4) – Ruth Percival, Paul Whittenham, Liz Lim, Bailey Rowsell

Match report

Our final match of the Summer League season took us across the water to Ryde Mead where a very strong side and Division 2 title contenders lay in wait. With time to kill as we waited in the terminal building for the FastCat to take us to our destination, Ruth (being Ruth) decided it would be a great idea to put a couple of quid in the massage chair in the departure area. 30 seconds later the boredom factor had already kicked in and her captain was ‘told’ to take her place. Very relaxing it was too although it in no way did it prepare me for the long walk down Ryde Pier and the uphill climb to Ryde Mead Tennis Club where unsurprisingly they win the majority of their home matches and unfortunately this match proved to be no exception. You know you are going to be in for a tough battle when Ruth and I faced their 2^nd pair with the wonderful Alex bombing down 100mph plus serves and who might as well have been serving out of one of the surrounding trees. A close first set ensued though and despite going down 6-3 in the first set, the young whippersnapper (Ruth, in case there is any confusion) and the OAP (with the bonus of cheap rates on the Fast Cat) turned the rubber around to clinch the second set 6-2. Sadly the tie-break didn’t go our way but judging by the vocal support and applause coming from the Ryde Mead hill, the large crowd were thoroughly entertained in a high quality encounter. On the next court, Bailey and Liz battled hard against a very strong 1^st pair and thoroughly deserved more reward from a rubber that took almost as long as our match on the adjoining court. The second round of rubbers proved to be equally entertaining but with little reward as our legs tired on the energy sapping tarmac courts. There was plenty of friendly banter to enjoy, both during and after the match and the hospitality we enjoyed was outstanding. A big thank you to Alex, Carrie, Jitka and Paul for a wonderful day’s entertainment and to Kevin for organising it all. A special mention to Bailey who has played in all 6 of our matches this Summer  and to Jitka for making an amazing Lemon Drizzle cake. I’d also like to thank my brilliant squad of players for their support and commitment this season. Paul Whittenham

Ladies Masters Division 1 – Avenue 1 lost to Ryde Lawn 1 (1-3) – Viola Masona, Nicky Woolhead, Debbie Berry, Jenny Smith

Match report

This was our last match of the summer season and we were pushed extremely hard by a strong team from the Isle of Wight. All matches were hard-fought with very long rallies and although Avenue lost it was contested to the very end. A great season for Avenue 1 with a number of established pairs being identified- bring on the winter season. Great effort from all players. 👍😀 Heather Halliday

Mens Masters Division 2 – Avenue 2 beat Ryde Lawn (4-0) – Rob Mort, Ant Spencer, Graham Cotterill, Matt Bennett

Match report

Sterling performance by the team despite being surprised for 10 mins by some strange wet stuff that fell from the sky. Rob Mort

Hants & IOW Summer League

Mens Division 2 – Avenue beat Avondale 1 (6-2) – James Leonard, Rowan Smithson, Lloyd Sampson, Matt Lee

Mens O45s Division 2 – Avenue lost to Bassett 1 (0-8) – Neil Crawford, Martin Mallick, Phil Broad, Ian Marks

East Hants Summer League

Ladies Division 2 – Avenue drew with Midhurst A (4-4) – Dawn Wears, Sarah Long, Heulwen Newman, Linda Barber

Match report

We played Midhurst last night and won by 1 game – 4 sets all, 32 games to 31. We have finished 2nd in Division 2.  Fantastic result. Jenny Ward

Portsmouth News Article

Last Saturday’s report can be found at the following link: Portsmouth & District LTAl

Paul Whittenham