Cadence Simpson of Huddersfield Lawn Tennis and Squash Club finished runner-up in the Grade 3 Hull Christmas Open, which has just been staged.

There were 16 girls entered, split into four groups of four, and eight-year-old Cadence, who attends Wooldale Junior School, went all the way to the final.

Cadence’s first game was against Erin Thomas, a girl she had never before beaten, and she came through 7-0 7-2 before going on to win her second match.

Cadence narrowly lost her third game but ended up qualifying top of her group, which put her into the main draw.

Playing well, she won her quarter-final and then came up against another girl who she had never previously beaten.

It proved an excellent semi-final of tremendous tennis and Cadence won 5-7 7-4 7-6, hitting some amazing aces to leave her opponent struggling.

Cadence went on to lose the final to Hannah Rylett but gave a good fight.

Ben Gudzelak coaches Cadence at Edgerton, along with Rebecca Lee.

He said: “Cadence is a joy to teach as she always gives her best effort and is continuously looking for improvements in everything she does – every time she steps onto the tennis court.

“This has resulted in a big improvement in her game and if she continues to work as hard in future then she will become a really good player.”