Stansted Tennis Club Finals Day report

Spectators and players basked in the sun for the finals of Stansted Tennis Club’s annual tournament. Five events were contested over the summer on a knockout basis, culminating in Finals’ Day on Sunday 12 September. Maybe inspired by Emma Raducanu’s amazing performance at the US Open the night before, play was entertaining and, at times, exciting to watch.

Helped by some well-timed net cords, Daphne Lunnon retained the Ladies’ Singles trophy with a close three setter, featuring some very long rallies, over Marta Hensall. Jon Budd claimed victory over Simon Fox in the Men’s Singles event, again in a closely contested three setter, after Simon turned round a 5-2 deficit in the second set to take the set 7-5. Jon then got the better of Simon in the third set, to seal the victory.

In the Men’s Doubles event, Jon Budd partnered his erstwhile opponent, Simon Fox, to convincingly defeat new pairing of Adrian Olver and Michael Wilde 6-1, 6-1. Meanwhile, Daphne Lunnon was back on court defending the Ladies’ Doubles trophy with her partner, Diane Brown. Things started off promisingly enough with Daphne and Diane winning the first set 6-2, only to lose the next two sets to worthy winners Carol Cook and Fiona Pye.

Michael Wilde and Adrian Olver were on opposite sides of the net for the Mixed Doubles final, with Michael partnering Daphne Lunnon and Adrian partnering Carol Cook. Adrian’s dominance at the net gave him and Carol an early lead but Michael’s tactically angled shots secured victory for him and Daphne in a very close two set match.

Plate events were held in some of the competitions this year for the first time. In the Ladies’ Singles Plate Fiona Kelly’s consistent play saw her overcome Catherine Gibby in two straight sets. Mark Harris had a walkover to win the Men’s Singles Plate. Simon Fox was on court for a third time in the day, partnering Catherine Gibby in the Mixed Doubles Plate final. They lost the first set to husband-and-wife combination of Jamie and Gail Hogg, then won the next two sets in a hard-fought contest.

Full results:

Ladies’ Singles: Daphne Lunnon beat Marta Hensall 3-6, 6-3, 6-0

Men’s Singles: Jon Budd beat Simon Fox 6-2, 5-7, 6-1

Ladies Doubles: Carol Cook/Fiona Pye beat Diane Brown/Daphne Lunnon 2-6, 6-3, 6-3

Men’s Doubles: Jon Budd/Simon Fox beat Adrian Olver/Michael Wilde 6-1, 6-1

Mixed Doubles: Daphne Lunnon/Michael Wilde beat Carol Cook/Adrian Olver 6-4, 7-6

Ladies’ Singles Plate: Fiona Kelly beat Catherine Gibby 6-2, 6-2

Men’s Singles Plate: Mark Harris (walk over)

Mixed Doubles Plate: Catherine Gibby/Simon Fox beat Gail Hogg/Jamie Hogg 4-6, 6-1, 6-1

Trophies and medals were presented at the close of proceedings, along with the Roger Loveday trophy for most improved player. This was awarded to a delighted Cathy Brenner.

Here is a selection of photos from the day.