23rd September, 2021

Kartal and Hussey win week 7

A dominant showing from Sonay Kartal saw her power past Emma Wilson en route to a UK Pro League hat-trick as she won the women’s final for the third Week in a row.

Heading into the final, 19-year-old south coast star Kartal had won the previous two UK Pro League events, tasting success during Weeks 5 and 6 at Aldershot and Chelsea respectively. And she managed to make it three from three with a convincing 6-0, 6-3 straight-sets win over Wilson at the University of Bath.

 

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Kartal said: I think I kept my form up from yesterday [the semi-finals].
“I didn’t really give her [Wilson] many opportunities to get a head start in the match which was positive.
“I kept my unforced error count pretty low and was just dominating really with my forehand on the court.”

 

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Kartal, who competed at Finals Week of last season’s UK Pro Series in Weybridge, added: “For me, the Pro League has been really beneficial.
“I’ve used it as match play to put my body under the stress of going abroad and playing tournaments, to make sure when I play them I’m fully fit.
“They’re good, guaranteed matches. It’s unique and it’s definitely helped me a lot.”

Meanwhile, in the men’s final, Giles Hussey came through in straight sets to defeat Billy Harris 6-3 6-4 and Hussey, who trains in Bath, admitted familiar surroundings contributed towards his Pro League success.

Hussey said: “I thought the match today was really good. I thought I executed my game plan and served really well and I got off to a good start in both sets and I held onto my serve – I was very happy with it.
“I thought it was a good week, and a good debut. Overall I’ve just really enjoyed the event – It’s quite good just being at Bath because it’s my home centre and it’s where I train.
“So I’m very used to the courts and the facility and I really enjoyed the event.”

 

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And next up for Hussey is a trip to Mexico, where the 24-year-old hopes to continue his recent fine form following his UK Pro League win. Hussey added: “I’ve got a couple of days off and then I fly to Cancun on Wednesday! “Hopefully I’ll carry on my good form into that and pick up some points.”

Elsewhere, Alice Gillan beat Emily Appleton 6-4, 6-1 in the women’s 3rd-4th match, while in the men’s equivalent, Sean Hodkin edged Dan Cox 6-4, 7-5.