Real Tennis Sotheby’s International Realty Club Singles Championship

The Oratory Real Tennis Club hosted their annual Club Handicap Singles Championship sponsored for its second year by Sotheby’s International Realty. The competition consisted of 10 group stages over three days with the handicap system working in full force and creating some very close matches over many of the groups.

20 players made it through to the Sunday knock out stages. A packed day of tennis started at 9am with two rounds being played before lunch by players challenging for one of the 8 quarter final spaces. The tennis was, as always, of a high standard and there was a mix of even and big difference handicaps for players to contend with. All 4 of the quarter finals were close matches and with many spectators watching, it made for a great afternoon of live sport.

The four victorious semi finalists were Ian Glyn (beating Pam Tomalin 6/4) Melvyn Keen (beating Derek O’sullivan 6/4) Mike Box (beating David Fox 6/2) and Sarah McGivern (beating Oscar Fountain 6/4). The first semi final was Ian Glyn playing Melvyn Keen. Both players had been playing extremely well off their handicap meaning this match was incredibly close. A handicap difference of 9 points put the pressure on Ian Glyn to play consistently and allowed Melvyn to hit with confidence. The match went right to the final game where Ian clinched the win 6/5. The second semi final was Mike Box playing Sarah McGivern. There was a big handicap here (25 points) with Sarah starting plus 30 and Mike minus 40. Mike played a very controlled game of tennis whilst Sarah, consistent as ever chipped the ball into the corners putting Mike under a lot of pressure. This was another very close game going right to the end with Mike coming back from 5/3 down to win 6/5. This set up the final between Ian Glyn and Mike Box. Both players close in handicap (only four points between them) and both playing at their best. The game was fast and attacking with both players taking the chances to hit winners mixed in with some great controlled subtlety into the corners. The game was very close but at 4/4 Ian managed to close out the match 6/4 and winning the Singles Championship.

Congratulations to Ian Glyn who is now Sotheby’s International Realty Club Handicap Singles Champion and thank you to Sotheby’s International Realty for their generous sponsorship of the Championship.

For more information on Real Tennis at The Oratory please contact Liam Taylor on L.Taylor@Oratory.co.uk or call 01491 681303

Liam Taylor