The great British weather halted proceedings for the Aegon British Tour competitors in Felixstowe yesterday, with five qualifiers still to be finalised today.
One of whom is Pierre Luiggi, who, in quite incredible circumstances, was 6-1, 5-4 up against Scott Power before the rain came down heavy and referee Brian Carr called a stoppage with the conditions and courts worsening.
Luiggi, whose sister Nina had just won her match against Maryam Williams 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 to qualify for the main draw scheduled for today, must now finish off his tie early today alongside four others matches.
Another of these unlucky competitors was Ipswich’s Matthew Kirby, who was 4-1 up in his second qualification match against Mohamed Morsi before the weather took its toll.
Earlier in the day, Kirby had played in undoubtedly the match of the tournament so far as he edged past Ryan Stevenson 6-7(5), 7-6(4), 7-5 in an epic encounter that lasted just over three hours.
Ironically in bright sunshine, Kirby played his part in a very evenly-matched contest that left both players dead on their feet at the end – both laying on the ground in exhaustion and disbelief.
If Kirby is able to get past Morsi today, he will face fellow Suffolk star Matthew Hough in the opening round shortly afterwards – how is that for motivation?
One Ipswich player who confirmed his place early in today’s main draw is Ben Smith, who comfortably oversaw the challenge of Thomas Miller and Nicholas Wade.
The other five men who confirmed their place with victories yesterday were William Huyton, Harry Weeds, Patryk Koscielski, Paul Cook and Simon Pritchard.
In the women’s side of proceedings, Zainab Williams, the highest ranked qualifier, was lucky enough to receive a bye into the main draw.
She will be joined by Luiggi who impressed with some fearless tennis as well as Anna Woosley who largely dominated against Daphne Pratt, with a 6-2, 6-2 scoreline the outcome.
Chloe Lant and Anastasia Reimchen also made it through in straight sets with the winners of Aurelie Zoetelief Tromp v Carys Gilbert, Amy Ellis v Celine Zoetelief Tromp, and Erica Izatt v Natasha Munday all still to be decided early today.
Men’s Open Singles
Qualifying: Round One: Nicholas Wade beat Robbie Ridout by a walkover, Ben Smith beat Thomas Miller 6-2 2-0 (retired), Harvey Shackleton beat Ben Hewitt 6-4 7-5, William Huyton beat Sam Bayda 6-2 6-4, Harry Weeds beat Andrew Watson by a walkover, Ryan Lambert beat Kenichiro Oishi 6-2 6-3, Christopher Egan Morriss beat Johnnie Carmichael 6-4 6-2, Patryk Koscielski beat Jack Large 7-5 6-4, Matthew Kirby beat Adam Stevenson 6-7 (5) 7-6 (4) 7-5, Mohamed Morsi beat Robert Morris by a walkover, Paul Cook beat Csaba Karda 6-2 6-4, Ryan Brough beat Luke Power by a walkover, Pierre Luiggi beat Tohotom Tiboldi 6-1 7-5, Scott Power beat Tim Schoenert by a walkover, Bailey Robbins beat James Ryan 6-2 6-4, Simon Pritchard beat Thomas Watkinson 6-0 6-2.
Round Two: Ben Smith beat Nicholas Wade 6-0 6-0, William Huyton beat Harvey Shackleton 7-6 (2) 7-5, Harry Weeds beat Ryan Lambert 6-1 6-2, Patryk Koscielski beat Christopher Egan Morriss 7-5 0-6 6-3, Paul Cook beat Ryan Brough 4-6 6-1 6-1, Simon Prithchard beat Bailey Robbins 6-4 6-4. n Matthew Kirby was beating Mohamed Morsi 4-1 before rain postponed the match, Pierre Luiggi was beating Scott Power 6-1 5-4 before rain postponed the match.**
Qualifiers who beat the rain for today’s main draw are: Ben Smith, William Huyton, Harry Weeds, Patryk Koscielski, Paul Cook.
Women’s Open Singles
Qualifying: Zainab Williams received a bye, Anastasia Reimchen beat Chelsea May Samways 6-4 7-6 (4), Nina Luiggi beat Maryam Williams 6-3 1-6 6-3, Chloe Lant beat Marie Ba 6-4 6-1, Anna Woosley beat Daphne Pratt 6-2 6-2.
n Carys Gilbert was beating Aurelie Zoetelief Tromp 6-2 before rain postponed the match, Natasha Munday was beating Erica Izatt 1-0 before rain postponed the match, Amy Elis and Celine Zoetelief Tromp were drawing 1-1 before rain postponed the match.
Qualifiers who beat the rain for today’s main draw are: Zainab Williams, Anastasia Reimchen, Nina Luiggi, Chloe Lant, Anna Woosley.
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