The opening day’s play in week 3 of the UK Pro League at Gosling saw debutante Will Jansen claim a first victory 6-4, 7-6 and join week 2 winner Brandon Murphy, recent ITF 25k winner Dan Cox and 2021 week 1 winner Josh Paris as pole setters in their groups.
In the women’s draw, dual 2021-week winner Lauryn John Baptiste, top seed Alice Gillan, Andre Lukosiute and Holly Hutchinson all won, to claim early driving seats in their respective pools as well.
Jansen beat regular campaigner Jack Gibbens in straight sets and will now be looking to secure a point to guarantee a quarter final spot in his second match against last season’s table topper Julian Cash. Week 2 winner Brandon Murphy was taken to a decider by Oscar Weightman leaving pool D wide open after 1 match with Dan Little yet to enter the fray. As the highest seed in their pools, Paris and Cox will be looking to progress having set the early pace but with 2021-week 5 winner Charlie Broom and Alexis Canter, they face some tough second match opponents.
Whilst all four winners in the women’s draw were top ranked and took maximum points for a straight sets win, the quick-fire format of the Pro League means there is still all to play for in these round robin matches over the next two days. Slovak ace and UKPL regular Katie Stresnakova, fresh from landing the BUCS championship with Loughborough alongside strong form in recent UK ITFs, will be seeking a first UK Pro League success, meanwhile Marni Banks making her UK Pro League debut will be hoping for a good first showing.
