By Glenys FurnessHarriet Dart & Maia Lumsden were the second seedsBrits made the finalBIRMINGHAM, UK – Harriet Dart & Maia Lumsden were the second seeds. The Brits made the final before being defeated by the top seeds.

 

 

Harriet Dart & Maia Lumsden were the second seeds in Birmingham. In the first round the Brits drew Nikola Bartunkova & Alexandra Eala. The seeds got off to a great start and broke serve to take the lead. However, the Czech/Filipino re-grouped in the second set and dominated to level the match. The ensuing match tiebreak was close. Eventually, the Brits edged through and into the next round 6-4, 2-6, 11-9.

The quarter-finals saw the Brits against Emily Webley-Smith & Celine Naef. The seeds were too good in the first set, dominating from the outset. The Brits lost only one game in the first set and took the lead. The second set saw the Brit/Chinese pair fight back and level up. The ensuing match tiebreak saw the second seeds edge through and into the next round 6-1, 3-6, 10-8.

In the semi-final the Brits were against Kayla Day & Mary Stoiana. The seeds dominated from the outset, barely putting a foot wrong. The first set saw the Americans hold serve twice as the Brits eased into the lead. The second set was more of the same. Dart & Lumsden didn’t drop a single game in this set and strolled into the final 6-2, 6-0.

The final saw the second seeds against the top seeds Talia Gibson & Janice Tjen. Dart & Lumsden stayed close at the start. However, the top seeds eventually broke serve and took the lead. The second set was more of the same as the Brits stayed with the top seeds at the start. Gibson & Tjen managed to get the early break and lift the title 6-4, 6-3.

 

 

Birmingham Round Up

Alicia Barnett & Samantha Murray Sharan were defeated by Katie Swan & Taylah Preston in the first round 7-5, 6-4.

Madeleine Brooks & Amelia Rajecki were defeated by Jodie Burrage & Mika Stojsavljevic in the first rounhd 6-4, 6-4.

Harriet Dart was defeated by Nikola Bartunkova in the first round 3-6, 6-3, 7-5.

Alicia Dudeney was defeated by Taylah Preston in the first round 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-3.

Katie Swan was defeated by Taylah Preston in the second round 6-4, 6-2.

Katie Swan with Taylah Preston were defeated by Talia Gibson & Janice Tjen in the quarter-final 6-4, 6-2.

Jodie Burrage & Mika Stojsavljevic were defeated by Kayla Day & Mary Stoiana in the quarter-final 6-3, 6-0.

Mika Stojsavljevic was defeated by Nikola Bartunkova in the quarter-final 6-4, 6-7(8), 7-6(4).

Next week Brits play in Stuttgart, s-Hertenbosch, Ilkley, Bratislava, Lyon, Cattolica, Spain, USA, Czech Republic, Turkey, Tunisia, Serbia, Hungary, Finland, Romania, Queens, Croatia, Portugal, Egypt, Morocco, Italy & Germany.