News from Sutton Coldfield and Four Oaks Tennis Clubs

SUTTON Coldfield Tennis Club star Chris Priddle achieved his first ATP ranking point in Egypt last week.

Priddle has spent the last three weeks in Egypt, playing three ITF $10,000 events.

The British number 36 qualified by winning two matches against ranked opponents.

Then, in the first round of the main draw, Priddle was drawn against Egyptian Karim-Mohamed Maamoun.

Maamoun was ranked 26 in the world on the junior ITF list last year, but Priddle came through the clash 6-3 6-4.

He then lost out in his second round match to Mohamed Safwat 7-5, 6-3.

Coach Chris Johnson said: "This is a great breakthrough for Chris and hopefully one he can build on."

Priddle has been part of the Sutton Coldfield Tennis Club performance programme for more than 10 years.

The club is currently taking children from the age of two and three in coordination and dexterity sessions.

This is a pre-tennis session aimed to develop athletic skills needed for tennis and many other sports.

Anyone interested in finding out what the club has to offer for all ages and abilities should call Chris Cook on 0121 3550917.

Meanwhile, Four Oaks Tennis Club's Tom Crothers successfully defended his under-14 boys' singles title at his club's LTA junior open tournament.

Crothers currently holds five under-14 LTA open singles titles.

He demonstrated his ability to win matches in pressure situations by beating Mark Jarrett, of Nottingham, 10-8 in the third set tie break, to win 6-4, 6-7, 7-6.

In the under-16 boys' singles final, Oliver Wiggin, from Esporta Coventry, defeated Andrew Smith, from Penns Lane Tennis Club, 6-3, 7-5.

In the under-16s girls' singles final, 12-year-old Paige Christian defeated Melissa Uppal 11-9 in the third set tie break, to win 7-5, 4-6, 7-6.

In the under-10 boys' doubles, the final featured all Four Oaks players with Jack Franks and Sam George beating Cameron McPheely and Joseph Hanley 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (10-2).

Four Oaks Tennis Club has 11 courts and is always looking for new members to join.

For details, visit the club's website at www.fotc.co.uk