Tarvet top of the tree as Brit claims Lexus British Pro Series Sheffield singles title

After Brits won three of four titles at the last World Tennis Tour event in Sheffield in February, the M25-level event produced more British success as Oliver Tarvet, who enthralled the British public by qualifying for back-to-back Wimbledon Championships in 2025 and 2026, stormed to the men’s singles title.  

After coming through a nervy three-set tie early in the draw, Tarvet showed he was a class above the rest from the quarter finals onwards, and after dropping just eight games across the quarter and semi-finals, confidence was high as he faced France’s Matt Ponchet, who had to come through back-to-back three-setters to reach the final. It proved one match too far for Ponchet, as Tarvet flew out of the blocks, dominating from start to finish as the Brit cruised to a 6-0 6-0 win in just 53 minutes, his second title in a row after winning the Lexus British Pro Series Redbridge singles title.

After the match, Tarvet said, “It's not often that you don't drop a game in the final, playing some of my best tennis when it mattered most today. I was just really happy that I was able to keep concentrating and focused throughout the entirety of the match, and I was able to play really well from the first to the last point.”

In the doubles, it was a landmark moment for 17-year-old Rhys Lawlor, as the young Brit won his first professional title alongside Canada’s Jared Horwood. After beating the Dutch third seeds Brian Bozemoj and Stijn Pel in the semi finals, Lawlor and Horwood faced Cameron Fryer and Kyle McKay, champions of the previous week’s Redbridge doubles title.

The M25 doubles title is the first pro-level title of Lawlor's (left) career

After Fryer and McKay took the first set, it seemed as though the Scots would secure back-to-back titles, but Lawlor and Horwood fought back, taking the final to a championship tiebreak, and ultimately prevailing 2-6 6-4 10-6.

After the title win, Lawlor said, “It’s been unbelievable. Playing with Jared has been brilliant, it’s just our second time playing together so getting a title is really good, so thanks to Jared for playing with me!”

Following the conclusion of the finals, LTA Tournament Director Alison Longfield said, “A great tournament and a fantastic week of tennis at the indoor Graves Tennis Centre in Sheffield.  Congratulations to Oliver Tarvet our new M25 men’s singles winner and Jared Horwood & Rhys Lawlor, our doubles’ winners. It has truly been a multinational event with excellent British performances too.  A big thank you to the centre and everyone involved for making the tournament such a success.”

International tournaments such as the Lexus British Pro Series Sheffield are part of the LTA’s Performance Competitions Calendar (PCC) which provides significantly enhanced opportunities for British players at each age and stage of the performance player pathway on home soil. The calendar is designed to provide comprehensive opportunities for British players to play, earn ranking points and win prize money at home, throughout the year.