A record entry in the Shropshire Closed Junior Tennis Championships has now been whittled down to the quarter and even semi-finalists.
Some 250 boys and girls went into battle to try and be crowned county champion at the flagship event at the Welti club in Shrewsbury.
And Joseph Smithyman from Ironbridge, who trains at Welti, has really caught the eye. He has been in fine form, having qualified for the quarter-finals of both the boys 14 and under, and boys 16 and under singles events.
In the 14 and under event he won two matches, only dropping one game, and he is still in contention for three doubles titles.
Kyle Fellows from Newport’s Boughey Gardens is in a similar position as he is still in the 14 and under and 16 and under singles events.The No1 seed in the 14 and under, Kyle was due to play Edward Gibbs in the quarter-finals today.
Jake Mottershead from Boughey Gardens pulled off a surprise by beating Christian Hine in straight sets in the 12 and under age group.
But the major shock of the day yesterday came in the 18 and under event when the unseeded Greg Bradburn beat the fourth seed Amar Singh - despite losing the first set without winning a single game.
Another seed got knocked out in the 12 and under event when Ryan Law from High Ercall overcame No 4 Matthew Lee with some ease, 6-2 6-2.
County No 1 Alan Bevan is safely through to the 18 and under semi-finals after breezing past Arjun Singh, brother of Amar, 6-0 6-0.
Pete Brown, Shropshire junior team coach commented: “There has been some fantastic tennis played with some interesting battles and upsets.
“It’s great to see the underdog overcome seeded players.”
In the girls events, Harriet and Olivia Jones appear to be heading for a family battle in the final of the 12 and under tournament.
Harriet has already reached the semi-final with twin sister Olivia due to play Catriona Jones in the quarter final today.
In the other girls events the seeds have made their expected progress to the semi-finals.
No 1 seed Sarah Willacy eased past Emily Williams in straight sets in the 14 and under category and was then equally dominate in the 16 and under group against Beth Cambridge.
Hannah Clarke is also through to the semi-finals of both age groups after beating Harriet Rogers 6-1 6-1 and Emily Day 6-0 6-0.
The finals take place on Saturday from 10am through to 5pm - with the trophy presentations immediately after.
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