A delightful Saturday greeted the finalists of HSBC Road to Wimbledon 2012, and with Tim Henman in attendance it was the perfect day for lawn tennis.
After an epic second set, Luke Hammond of Warwickshire triumphed over Kent’s James Davis 6-2, 7-6(7)to be crowned boys singles champion, and on the adjacent court, it was the unswerving number one seed Emily Arbuthnott who overcame Yorkshire’s Holly Horsfall 6-4, 6-1.
Hammond said at the trophy presentation “It feels really good to be the boys champion. I played really well today, stuck to the game plan and even though the second set was really close against James Davis I still managed to do it. Feels good also to be a runner-up in the doubles, I’m definitely going to come back to HSBC Road to Wimbledon next year.”
Hertfordshire’s first Road to Wimbledon girls’ champion Emily Arbuthnott said, “It’s amazing to have won HSBC Road to Wimbledon, I’m really very happy. It was a tough final but I’m so glad I came through it in the end. The whole week has been fantastic, the weather has been really nice and there has been a great atmosphere all week.”
In the consolation finals Robert Edwards of Lancashire defeated Benjamin Battey from Dorset 6-2, 7-5. And the girls’ consolation winner from the East of Scotland, Heather Croll prevailed 6-4, 7-5 over Kate Clayson of Northamptonshire.
The doubles were contested in the sweltering midday heat. And in the girls’ doubles Emily Arbuthnott completed the clean sweep of trophies partnering with Holly Horsfall to win 6-4, 6-2 over Sophia Haine of Dorset and Holly Hutchinson of Buckinghamshire.
James Davis, runner up in the boys’ singles partnered Piers Foley to win the boy’s doubles trophy to deny 6-1, 6-2 Luke Hammond and Barnaby Smith.
HSBC Road to Wimbledon reached its conclusion with the trophy presentation with Tim Henman, John Barrett of the All England Club, and Paul Hutchins Tournament Director signing off an inspirational week of junior tennis.
