Teenage prodigy Claire Vigrass, 19, underlined her dominance with an emphatic victory in the prestigious Ladies Real Tennis Association International at the Holyport Club, Berkshire.
Vigrass, from Inworth, Essex, arrived fresh from a famous ‘double’ at Seacourt, where she had taken the British Open singles and doubles crowns without dropping a set, the youngest woman ever to win either title.
She proceeded to make short work of her opponents in the group matches, even sweeping aside six times world champion Penny Lumley without dropping a game, as she powered to the final in explosive style. Here she faced her main rival, Karen Hird, 21, from High Wycombe, runner-up in the British Open.
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Hird, who is currently embroiled in Economics finals at Cambridge University, looked understandably out of touch as Vigrass, who has been training at Lord’s for much of the season, thanks to a bursary from the Tennis and Rackets Association, imposed her heavy-hitting game from the opening exchanges.
She never allowed the dogged Hird to find her rhythm or use the clever variation of pace and length which are the hallmark of her game, and allowed her just 4 games, although the match proved closer than the score suggests.
This series of impressive victories takes Vigrass to a handicap of 7, the lowest ever achieved by a woman, and her current run of form and impressive dedication suggests that she is capable of even greater improvement.
Reigning world champion Charlotte Cornwallis is currently sidelined by a long-term hand injury, although many are hoping that the former hockey international will be sufficiently recovered in time to defend her title at next season’s world championship. On current form however, Vigrass should start as the hottest of favourites.
Results: Holyport Real Tennis Club:
Ladies Real Tennis Association International:
Group matches: Group A:C. Vigrass bt P. Lumley 6-0 6-0, bt N.Doble 6-0 6-0, bt C.Watson 6-0 6-0
Lumley bt Doble 6-0 6-5, bt Watson 6-2 6-0
Doble bt Watson: 6-1 6-5
Louise Hudson, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
Group B: K.Hird bt A. Garside 6-0 6-3, bt A.Greenwood 6-0 6-0, bt J.Newby 6-0 6-1.
Garside bt Greenwood 6-3 3-6 6-4, bt Newby 6-2 6-3
Greenwood bt Newby 2-6 6-2 6-1
Final: C.Vigrass bt K.Hird 6-3 6-1
