Entries for the Fruitypot Huddersfield Open are booming in the wake of Wimbledon.
The big event has got under way at Huddersfield Lawn Tennis and Squash Club and continues throughout this week.
The Edgerton-based club are hoping for big support for all sections, with players from across the country taking part in what should be a cracking tournament.
A field of 25 have entered the men’s singles, with last year’s beaten finalist, Yorkshire County player Pete Ashley, the No1 seed.
Thongsbridge ace Andrew Atkinson is aiming to put up a strong challenge for the title from No2, while Ben Gudzelak and Liam Earnshaw complete the top four.
All of them, however, will have to watch out for the home club’s reigning champion, Mike Tolman, who is unseeded on rankings despite his success a year ago.
There are 14 women in the main draw, led by Nicola Tweedy of Virgin Active Wearside and No2 seed Rebecca Hall (York) who is the defending champion.
An interesting competitor in the women’s section is Darya Osadova, who has moved to play at Huddersfield from Surbiton to be coached by Matt Smith – who hit the headlines last week as coach of Wimbledon surprise package Marcus Willis.
Osadova is in the 14 and Under and 16 and Under sections as well as the women’s and both sets of doubles.
In qualifying for the Girls 9 and Under are three Huddersfield players hoping to make the main draw – Sophie Illingworth, Hanna Siddiqui and Bea Ayres – while Aodhan Sopala (who plays at Thongsbridge and Huddersfield) will fancy his chances of going into the Boys 9 and Under event.
Sam Roberts of Huddersfield is in the Boys 14s main draw.
Referee Becky Lee said: “We’ve had a tremendous entry this year with so much interest around Wimbledon and there will be some cracking tennis at the club all week.
“People are more than welcome to come down and support, we have refreshments, food and the bar available and there’s competition from late morning through to the senior events each evening.”
