We had a fantastic week here in Philadelphia hosting the World Master 60s and 65s. With twenty-six entries across the singles and doubles in both age groups, it was lining up for some great action!
Starting with the 60s singles, John Prenn cruised through his first-round matches to find himself against his doubles partner Jonathan Hamer who had a great game against Geoffrey Russell in the round before taking it 6/4 6/2. Hamer came out of the block starting well against Prenn going 2/1 up. Prenn finding his stride fought back and took the first set 6/2. Serving well and restricting Hamer Prenn kept his foot on the gas and secured his place in the final winning 6/2 6/2. In the other half of the draw, Simon Aldrich vs. Fred Satow turned out to be a battle with Aldrich coming out on top 6/2 3/6 6/4. Satow fought hard to win the match. Graeme Bradfield played an in-form Nick Jeffery and edged out the win 6/4 6/4. Both players were hitting great length and control. In the bottom semifinal, Aldrich and Bradfield were neck and neck all set with an epic game at five games all that went Aldrich’s way. Bradfield looking good though kept the pressure on moving Aldrich around the court. Bradfield took the second set 6/3 to tie it up. Aldrich looking like he was struggling with a calve issue wasn’t covering the court the same as in the first set and Bradfield used this to his advantage to take the match 5/6 6/3 6/3. Great battle till the end. With the final set between John Prenn and Graeme Bradfield, the crowds had flocked in to watch. Prenn controlling the match and pace of play used his beautiful backhand hitting dedans & grilles on demand to take the match 6/1 6/1. An impressive display of Court Tennis from the World Masters over 60s singles champion!
In the over 60s doubles, Steve Hufford and Sue Haswell had a great match against Nick Jeffery and Geoffrey Russell with Hufford & Haswell taking it 6/5 6/2. The first set was fantastic tennis with both teams playing classic doubles. Graeme Bradfield and Peter Vogt played a great match against Fred Satow and Jonathan Fisher taking it 6/5 6/3. Vogt was hitting some key volleys to close out the first set, moving them into the semifinals. In the final, it was Simon Aldrich and George Bell vs. John Prenn and Jonathan Hamer. Aldrich and Bell were looking very comfortable with balls in the air, creating lots of pressure taking Prenn and Hamer’s time away. Prenn having played both singles finals before was running on fumes which Aldrich & Bell took advantage of Prenn’s fatigue. In the end, Aldrich and Bell took the title 6/1 6/2 with an impressive display of doubles.
In the 65s Singles, John Prenn played consistent tennis to get him to the final dropping only three games. Philip Shaw-Hamilton, on the other half of the draw, had a battle with Paul Weaver in the semifinal. Shaw-Hamilton serving well put Weaver under pressure but he hung in there. Shaw-Hamilton took the first set 6/5. Weaver determined to win took the second set 6/3 tying it up. In the end, Shaw-Hamilton hit some targets to secure the match 6/5 3/6 6/3 to play Prenn in the final. Prenn fresh off his first singles looked excellent and ready to go. Starting well keeping Shaw-Hamilton on the receiving end Prenn took the first set 6/2. Shaw-Hamilton hanging in there played some great tennis but, in the end, it wasn’t enough to stop Prenn 6/2 6/3. Congratulations to John Prenn on back-to-back singles titles.
In the over 65s doubles, it was a one-horse race with Paul Weaver & Philip Shaw-Hamilton not dropping a game the entire tournament. Jill Newby and Jonathan Fisher played a great match against Greg Van-Schaack and Peter Clement 6/2 6/1 playing superb controlled doubles. In the final Shaw-Hamilton & Weaver were too much to win 6/0 6/0. Newby and Fisher still played great tennis and had game points but couldn’t convert. Congratulations to Shaw-Hamilton and Weaver on a great tournament.
Thank you to all participants and spectators for making it a fantastic week here in Philadelphia!
John Lumley
