Kent County Cup 18U Girls Report - Group 2B at Nottingham Tennis Centre

Day 1 v Notts
Having seen the nominations for the day I knew we were going to have to come out with some upsets. Five out of the six singles were against better rated opponents and one was matched. Was I worried? No, I knew the girls were so ready for the challenge.
Devan & Emily started at 6 & 5 respectively. For Devan it was her first outing as part of a county cup team. Devan was amazing, she started strongly taking the set 6-1 and then lost her way slightly before finishing off the match 7-6 with a convincing performance. Devan showed great qualities against a tough opponent. Emily looked very nervous at the start of her performance but fought well and was physically just too strong for her opponent, taking the match 6-1 6-4. Ellie followed onto court against a player higher rated and really struggled in the first set going down 6-2. She had to adjust her tactics and gradually she turned the match around to win in three. This was a mature performance from one of the youngest on the team, winning 2-6 6-3 6-1. Nicole followed in position 3 and was too inconsistent to take control of her match, losing 6-2 6-1. Frankie stepped on court in position 2 and although very nervous, she competed well and kept fighting to the finish. Her opponent was three ratings higher and she performed well but lost 7-5 6-3. Mari was last on court at position 1 and went up a set against a player three ratings higher. She took the second set into a tie break and had three match points but the amount of energy Mari expended took its toll and she lost the second set and then fairly quickly the third set. She competed unbelievably well and almost caused a huge upset in a two and a half hour match.
So after the singles Kent were 3-3 which meant the doubles would decide the outcome overall. Playing in the third doubles spot were Nicole & Emily. They played very well and communicated well to take the match easily 6-1 6-2. Frankie & Devan were competing at the same time as our top pairing of Gaby & Ellie and Kent only needed one of the matches. We went down one set at position one but a set up at position two. The support was immense and before we knew it the number one pair had lost to level the match at 4-4. It came down to Frankie & Devan’s match which had now reached a tie break in the second set. It went back and fore before the Kent girls held their nerve and pulled it out 7-3. Incredible tennis by all the girls and fantastic support within the team definitely got Kent the win. We celebrated with very large desserts!!

Day 2 v N. Of Scotland
On paper another hard day for the girls, not one of our girls were higher rated. The team remained the same as day one so Devan & Emily took to the courts first. Both girls took control early and never allowed their opponents into the match. It was just the perfect start for Kent as we took a 2-0 lead. On went Ellie next and although she was matched by rating she looked in control the whole time and helped Kent take a 3-0 lead. Nicole unfortunately came across a very in form, athletic player and dropped her match 6-1 6-3. Frankie started her match a complete nervous wreck and dropped the first set quickly 6-1. She couldn’t make the ball find the court and doubted her own ability to the extent that when we spoke at the end of the first set she felt she couldn’t do anything. We had a tactical talk and a reality check that gave Frankie the boost she needed to go out fighting for a win. She turned the match on its head to take the second set before taking the third set all the way to 4-4. She managed to break serve and then hold for the match. Kent was up 4-1. Mari went on court fighting as always but she didn’t have enough in her game to beat her opponent. She had a long first set but lost 6-4 6-0. This meant we needed one more match out of the three doubles to take the match. Emily & Nicole had a tough pair at third doubles and won a very close first set 7-5. The match went back and fore before they finally won 6-4 which meant we could relax in the other matches. Mari & Gaby competed at top spot but their opponents were very competent and too strong so Kent lost 6-1 6-2. Frankie & Devan won easily in position two and it completed another great day for the girls. A great win for Kent 6-3 overall. I for sure was incredibly proud of all the girls and their efforts on the second day.
So tomorrow decides whether Kent or Surrey become champions of group two. The girls will be motivated beyond words and I know it’s going to be another exciting day.

Day 3 v Surrey
Wow !! we planned to meet at 7:30a.m. to pack the van before breakfast but there was one surprise we weren’t expecting...about six inches of snow. I was horrified as I watched vans and cars alike outside the hotel trying to get up the hill. So we had breakfast and very carefully drove to take on the first challenge, hill number one. Foot down in 2nd and we flew up with a small kick out from the back of the van only to find the lights on red the other side!! With the brakes on we slid down and through the lights to continue our journey to the tennis centre. We made it and the girls were all set to take on Surrey. I thought our best bet was to win at 5 & 6 and then take it into the doubles. Unfortunately Emily didn’t have a great day and lost in two sets and Devan split sets and went up 5-3 in the third only to go down 7-5. Ellie was playing a 4.1 at four and was not given any opportunity to get into her match. Nicole was up against a 3.2 and played probably her best singles of the weekend but lost in two. Frankie fought hard against a 3.1 and lost in two close sets. Mari really struggled in position one as her opponent was a strong, all court player but as always gave 100%. This meant we had lost before the doubles took place. Due to the weather only the third doubles was played so that we could leave the centre early before more snow arrived. Emily & Nicole had fun but lost and that turned out to be the end of county cup 2010.

Kent ended the weekend runners up in group 2 which was a great team effort and both I and Chantal were very happy with the effort and commitment by everyone involved. The girls were fantastic during match time and the support they gave each other was huge. Off the court we all had so much fun it really was a trip to remember and all the girls are looking forward to 2011. I think in a strange way they’re even looking forward to more early morning runs !!

Looking forward already to 2011 and next year we’re going for the big win.

Well Done to all the girls, what a great weekend!!!