SEATON Tennis Club celebrated their Finals Day with two first-time winners of the men’s and ladies’ singles titles.
On a blustery day, first on court was a repeat of last year’s ladies final between champion Zanna Newsholme and Jen Rose.
Newsholme took the first set 6-3 with some exquisite shot making before Rose fought back with cleverly changed tactics, mixing in backspin, short balls and high shots to take the second set 6-3.
In the deciding championship tie-break, Rose held her nerve to win 10-4 as errors crept into Newsholme’s game.
Next up was the men’s singles, another repeat of last year’s final between champion, Kevin Davis and Stuart Loudwell.
After Davis took the first set 6-2 with a display of controlled power and accuracy it looked as though things were going the same way as last year.
READ MORE: Kevin Davis and Zanna Newsholme win 2022 Seaton singles titles
This time, Loudwell also fought back with a mixture of slower balls, low slices and volleys to take the second set 6-4 as forced and unforced errors crept into Davis’ game.
Momentum was now with Loudwell and with a cool head under pressure, he stayed on top to comfortably close out the tie-break 10-4.
The ladies’ doubles featured last year’s champions, Rose and Cristina Sanz against new club chairwoman Jenny Moroz and Donna Moss.
Rose and Sanz powered through the first set 6-1 but the second set was more closely contested.
One five-deuce game could have gone either way until Rose and Sanz took it to go 4-1 up.
But an increasingly confident Moss and Moroz, with the crowd on their side, fought back bravely to 4-4 with only an easy missed volley wasting their chance to go 5-4 up.
Rose and Sanz needed no second chance and soon closed out the set 6-4 to retain the title.
The men’s doubles final was between last year’s winners Peter Moroz and Loudwell and the new pairing of Davis and Chris Rose.
In a blistering display of serve and volley tennis often with all four players at the net, Davis and Chris Rose took the first set 6-3. The high-octane battle continued in the second set with very little to choose between the players but on their fourth match point Davis and Chris Rose clinched the second set 6-4 and with it the title.
As usual, the final event was the mixed doubles with champions and daughter and father pairing, Becs Hudson and Geoff Westall taking on new pairing Sanz and Peter Moroz.
The first set was in the balance but one break of serve was enough for the champions to take it 6-4. This seemed to relax them and in the second set they powered into a 5-0 lead before promptly taking the set 6-1 to retain the title.
The Plate events for first round losers in the main draw were held at the same time. Jane Barribal won the ladies’ singles and Dave Wraith the men’s singles.
The men's doubles was won by Jamie Clayton and John Lockwood and Jane teamed up with her son Lucas Barribal to win the mixed.
On the day, 50 members were catered for by Glayson and Katie with delicious pizzas and homemade cakes, whilst complimentary strawberries and cream added to the Wimbledon vibe.
Seaton Tennis Club welcomes all new members of any ability and age. For more details, contact: seatontennis@gmail.com
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