Day two round-up
Day two of the Liverpool International Tennis Tournament has come to a close, with youngsters Neal Skupski and Eugenie Bouchard exciting the crowd’s at Calderstones Park.
Liverpool lad Skupski was impressive in his narrow defeat to Nicolas Massu, whilst Bouchard qualified for the women’s final and played Martina Hingis on Centre Court.
Centre Court:
Nicolas Massu (CHI) beat Neal Skupski (GBR) 7-6 (2), 6-4
Chilean Nicolas Massu opened up day two and he was a relieved man after being pushed all the way by Allerton-born Neal Skupski. The 20-year-old from Palmerston Tennis Club impressed in his singles debut on Centre Court, but the experience of Massu proved crucial as he ran out the winner in straight sets.
Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) beat Ana Bogdan (ROM) 6-4, 6-3
Next up was Eugenie Bouchard and the first of her two matches on Centre Court today. The 16-year-old faced the former World No.2 junior Ana Bogdan in a very competitive match-up. Bogdan was playing just her second match back from injury and Bouchard took advantage to get her third win of the tournament and qualify for the women’s final.
Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA) beat Andre Sa (BRA) 7-6 (4), 6-2
Two ATP regulars were in action next, in a match that would be worthy of Saturday’s men’s final. It was a tight affair with both players holding serve into a first set tiebreak. Mathieu got the upper hand and grew in confidence as the match went on, winning 7-6 (4), 6-2. Sa had plenty of support though and he thanked two Brazilian women who were cheering him on with a photo on-court after the match.
Martina Hingis (SUI) beat Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) 6-3, 6-4
This afternoon’s play focused on former Wimbledon Champion Martina Hingis once again as the Swiss took on Eugenie Bouchard in second match of the tournament. The young Canadian impressed in the biggest match of her career so far, but some consistent hitting from Hingis was enough to see her through in straight sets.
Ulrikke Eikeri (NOR) beat Amy Askew (GBR) 8-2
17-year-old Ulrikke Eikeri was last on Centre Court today, playing Liverpool’s own Amy Askew in a women’s pro-set. The Norwegian found it tough against Martina Hingis yesterday, but recovered well this afternoon to win comfortably, 8-2.
Court One:
Ulrike Eikeri (NOR) beat Chloe Murphy (GBR) 8-5
Eikeri also opened up play on Court One this morning with another good display against Chloe Murphy. Murphy has found it tough this week but put in a gutsy performance against the Norwegian, eventually losing out 8-5.
Frederik Sletting-Johnsen (NOR) beat Luke Bambridge (GBR) 6-3, 6-0
‘Freddie’ v ‘Bambi’ closed play on Court One today with the Norwegian impressing for a second day running at Calderstones Park. 15-year-old Bambridge showed plenty of promise, but it was the experience of Sletting-Johnsen that won out comfortably in straight sets.
Sean Molyneux
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