Two tennis firsts for Maria (Contributed)

MARIA Lawton achieved a very impressive double at Thame Tennis Club?s Finals Day on Sunday, by winning both the Ladies Singles and Ladies Doubles titles.
In her first final at the Club, Maria teamed up with Jo Kelly in the Ladies Doubles to defeat last year?s winners Clare Carder and Fiona Pidgeon in a high quality match 6-3 6-2.

Maria then took on last year?s champion, Fiona Pidgeon in the Ladies Singles final and in a very closely fought, three set match of fluctuating fortunes, won the first set 6-2. Fiona, not wishing to relinquish her title, fought back to win the second set 6-2 but Maria then won a very tight third set to win the match and secure the title by the score of 6-2 2-6 7-5.

In the Men?s Doubles final, the established pair of Richard Bradley and Neil Morgan had too much experience for the new pairing of Steve Nannery and James Trueman, both of whom were appearing in their first Men?s Doubles final (and James in his second final of the day). Richard and Neil won by two sets to love 6-1 6-4 and reclaimed the Championship that they had last won in 2003, having been runners-up last year.

Richard, having previously had a very impressive win in the semi-finals, then went on to face Chris Duffy in the Men?s Singles final.

Following on in the tradition of the Men?s Singles finals over recent years at Thame, this match was played to a phenomenally high standard by both players, with Chris Duffy (who previously has been a club and playing partner colleague of the US Open Finalist, Andy Murray) ultimately proving to be too strong for Richard Bradley and winning his first title at the Club by the score of 6-2 6-1.

Earlier in the day, James Trueman also secured his first title when he partnered Terry Merry to a 6-1 6-2 victory over Marek Wojtan and Sue Whale in the Mixed Doubles, with Marek and Sue also appearing in their first final.

The trophies will be presented at the Club?s Dinner Dance and trophy presentation evening to be held at The Oxfordshire Golf Club in November.

The Junior Tournament finals will be held at the Club on Saturday 13th September – with refreshments available throughout the day for spectators – please visit the Club?s website at www.thametennisclub.org.uk for details.

The Club will be playing throughout the year, the winter league matches are about to commence and for all membership enquiries, please call Sue Whale on 01844-352387

PHOTO: MARIA Lawton (right) and Fiona Pigeon