To see the completed draws of the British Open Veterans' Clay Court Championships 2010, please click here. 

Setting aside the fading memory of rain on the first Saturday and Tuesday, this year’s Clay Court Championships at Bournemouth will be largely remembered for the glorious warm and sunny weather of the last four days and the quality of the matches played out before appreciative spectators in the semis and finals.
A key upset was the defeat of world number one, Pierre Godfroid (BEL) in the Men’s 50 singles, by Peter Wingrove, a man new to veterans’ tennis and to Vets Tennis GB, having preferred to hone his game against younger opponents in France.  His speed and accuracy enabled him to get the better of Alec Allen and Harvey Becker in succession before robbing Godfroid of the title in straight sets.

Vittorio Monaco (ITA)  was dominant in the Men’s 70 allowing no-one more than a single game except for Don Shears who was making his first outing following injury.  His final opponent, Clive Hutchings, was able with Roger Ambrose to level the score between them by winning the doubles convincingly.

In other men’s events, there were some tremendous performances.   Seb Jackson battled against Tom Spinks for close on three hours to win finally 7-5 in the third set; Paul Scullard came through a similar tussle against Matt Coombes in the 40s and in the 50s, Simon Curtis who had survived a tense encounter with Graeme Adams earlier, put up a highly creditable showing in taking seven games from Nick Fulwood who had, to that point conceded only two games. 

Paul French reigned in the 55s events but was taken to three sets in the singles final by Martin Cornish before taking the doubles title with Jeremy Trafford and with ease.  Jeremy Woods had a great run in the 60 singles with a hard-won defeat of Richard Tutt in the semis and of Olly Rogger in the final and not to be outdone, Nigel Barker pulled off a similar feat in winning the Men’s 65 singles.

The Women’s categories were no less eventful.  Nina Topper played a superb match to pip Jo Louis to the 40s singles title, winning 6-4 in the third set,  and then joined the 35s singles winner, Michelle Oldham, to prevail in the doubles also.  Lesley O’Halloran of Ireland was the 45s winner and Anthea Stewart again demonstrated her hold over Christine French with a straight sets win in the 50s.

The 55s final, again between Pauline Fisher and Sally Freeman, resulted in a win for Fisher who recovered from a first set deficit to win in three.  Marjory Love was as efficient as ever, with an uncomplicated progress through the 60 singles, but the fight for the Women’s 65 was another matter as Jacky Boothman and Frances MacLennan teased out a three and a half hour battle of long rallies ending in a 7-6 final set win for MacLennan.
A regular visitor from Germany, Nanda Fischer, was again too strong for the rest of the 70s draw while June Pearce’s relative youth saw her safely through the 75s.

There were some entertaining doubles matches, too, and all the detailed results may be seen above.