02 Aug Morrissey Wins Dublin Junior ITF Championship
John Morrissey recorded his first Junior ITF title at the weekend, winning on home soil at the Dublin Junior ITF Championships in the National Tennis Centre, Dublin City University. Morrissey ended the weekend with a comfortable win over the tournaments surprise package – Britain’s Christopher Simpson. Simpson had performed brilliantly to record his first Junior ITF final appearance, disposing of the No.2 seed Sam Barry and No.3 seed Matthew Thompson, and was hopeful that these morale boosting victories would stand him in good stead for the final. John Morrissey was equally as impressive in his route to the final with wins over German Oliver Strecker in a tough three set match, and a semi final win over the big-hitting Richard Gabb of Britain. Although both boys were competing in their first Junior ITF final it was Morrissey who seemed to remain calmest under pressure. In what was a cagey opening few games where both players kept their serve Morrissey drew first blood in breaking Simpson’s service game to lead 4-2 in the first set, while consistently winnig his own service games to eventually take the first set by 6-3. With Morrissey now having the upper hand in the match the pressure on the Derbyshire native to up his game in the second set. The Irish junior was more than capable of upping his game also and answered all the questions that Simpson could throw at him with some breathtaking tennis in the second set and eventually wore down his British opponent to ensure that the Dublin Junior ITF crown remained in Dublin for the year winning 6-3, 6-2 within 80 minutes.
Alexandra Walker of Great Britain progessed through the final to become the Girls Champion for 2008 with a great win over the USA’s Allessandra Bonte. Walker proved true to the seedings order and the No.1 seed came out on top 6-3, 6-2 to claim her second Junior ITF title of the 2008 season. Walker was in control over the No.3 seed from the off and the American was greatly dissapointed with her performance, especially after her great win over many peoples pre-tournament favourite – Jessica Ren of Britain, a player who already has a National Senior ranking of 35 at the age of 15. Alexandra Walker also took home the Girls Doubles title with her partner and fellow Newcastle native Jessica Courtnell.
Aside from John Morrissey’s fantastic win, there were several other notable Irish wins throughout the week at the National Tennis Centre. In the first round of the Main Draw Carlow’s Tommie Murphy recorded an outstanding win over the No.1 seed – Britain’s David Thomson in a tough encounter that ended 3-6, 6-2, 6-1. Both Murphy and Morrissey would go on to reach the final of the Boys Doubles event also before coming out second-best to the aforementioned David Thomson and his twin brother Matthew Thompson 6-4, 6-1. Ciaran Fitzgerald also enjoyed a great win in the first round of the Main Draw beating the Rushbrooke champion James Turberville in a tight three sets match 7-6(7), 3-6, 6-4. Amy Bowtell also enjoyed a successful tournament progressing to the quarter-finals before going out to Jessica Ren 7-5, 6-4.
For a full rundown of all results from the Dublin Junior ITF please click here
Elsewhere the Junior ITF in Rushbrooke LTCC also saw a host of up and coming tennis stars battling it out for precious ITF points the previous week. The Cobh venue attracted some of the worlds top yonug players including the American pair of Lauren McHale and Shinann Featherston, with the former being a current top 100 player on the girls circuit. Both players were to meet in th final of the girls competition as expected however it was Featherston who came out on top in a closely fought three set match 6-3, 4-6, 6-4. Ireland’s Hannahmay Morrissey produced the best of the Irish performances in the girls draw, reaching the quarter-finals before bowing out to No.4 seed Joanna Horne 6-1, 7-5. Sinead Kennedy also registered her first ITF points by beating fellow Irish player Elizabeth Murphy 6-4, 6-3 in the first round.
The final of the boys draw produced an all British tie with Alex Golding facing James Turbervill. Turbervill had made it to the final without dropping a set throughout the competition and his great form continued in the final against Golding. In a very close first set Turberville came out on top in the tie-break, and breaking Golding’s serve in the second set to take home the title in style without dropping a single set.
For further information on this tournament please click here