Three girls from Wales gained selection for an international tournament in France. The Top 10 / 12 competition was held in Bressuire, and is sanctioned by Tennis Europe.
Katie Land, age 11, (coached by John Whitehall), battled through to the 11’s girls singles final, missing out on the title after a 2-6, 1-6 loss to the Bulgarian Velizara Fileva.
Full results:
2nd Round: Katie Land, GBR won 6-3, 6-3 against Anouck Vracken Peeters, NED
3rd Round: Katie Land, GBR won 6-4, 6-3 against Lucie Nguyen Tan, FRA
Quarter Final: Katie Land, GBR won 0-6, 6-0, 6-2 against Camille Belberka, FRA
Semi Final: Katie Land GBR won 1-6, 6-1, 6-3 against Anaelle Leclercq, FRA
“Playing in Bressuire was a fantastic opportunity to play girls of my age from all over Europe. To reach the final was amazing and something that I will remember forever” said Katie. “I really enjoyed travelling to France as a team with Tennis Wales – I’m looking forward to next year”.
Megan Davies, also from Wrexham, and Rebecca Howley, from Bridgend, who trains at Cardiff Metropolitan University, competed in the 12s event, gaining invaluable experience against the top French players, Rebecca reaching the quarter-final of the consolation beating the number one Irish girl on the way.
“The girls showed tremendous spirit in the way they competed against the top players from other European countries, and we hope the experience gained will help them progress even further on the international stage,” said Ellinore Lightbody of Tennis Wales.
Tennis Wales chief executive, Peter Drew added: “This is a great achievement for Katie, and another sign of the rising tide of talent that we have coming through the ranks of Welsh tennis.”
Information on all aspects of tennis in Wales is available from Tennis Wales at 029 20 463335 or www.lta.org.uk/in-your-area/Wales/ and for regular updates follow Tennis Wales on Twitter @tenniswales.
