The early matches in the Singles competition showed us how much the junior training programme had improved the standard of our young players, two from Wellington and one from the Oratory. For these three competitors, it was their first time competing in the British Open. It is so impressive to see all the training and money that has been given through The Dedanists and LRTA Academy programme really making a difference.
The first couple of rounds in both the Singles and Doubles competitions proved rather one-sided, the exceptions being the match between Lucie Grosset and Georgia Toosey which Georgia won in a very tight match 6/5, 6/5 and Lydia Compton-Burnett who pulled off a surprise win against Rachel Hollington winning 6/2, 6/4. It was noticeable that both Georgia and Lydia were playing better than their handicaps suggested. Moving onto the second-round matches, Georgia and Lydia came up against formidable opponents in Alexandra Bryant and Jess Garside and although both put up a brave fight, they failed to progress to the next round. The match between Sophia Lewis and Katherine Carney turned out to be a lengthy close game which Katherine managed to win 6/5, 2/6, 6/3 – this was a fabulous match to watch! The final singles of the day resulted in a win for Georgie Ingham who defeated Jane Taylor.
The quarter finals on Friday featured Alexandra Bryant playing Jess Garside – this had the potential of being a lengthy match, but Jess had other ideas and it was her strength of shot into the corners that proved too much for Alexandra resulting in Jess winning 6/1, 6/2. Nicola Doble faced the improving Katherine Carney and won the first set 6/2, however, the second set proved to be much closer with Nicola just winning it 6/5. Georgie Ingham put up a brave fight against Tara Lumley, but Tara proved just too strong without losing a game.
The Doubles quarter final match on Friday between Rachel Hollington & Alexandra Bryant against Sophia Lewis & Kureha Yamaguchi was a 3-set thriller finishing at 11.30pm resulting in a win for Rachel & Alexandra 6/5, 5/6, 6/4.
Earlier in the day the Handicap Doubles began which produced some close matches even with the lower handicap ladies having to give large handicaps. Those who progressed to the Knock-Out stage were Lydia Compton-Burnett & Georgia Toosey, Nicola Doble & Katherine Carney, Sophia Lewis & Kureha Yamaguchi and Rachel Hollington & Alexandra Bryant.
Saturday saw Claire Fahey playing in the Singles and Doubles semi-finals and, once again, she gave a really flawless example of how to play the game losing only one game to Jess in the Singles and one game to Rachel & Alexandra in the Doubles. Most of the other matches on that day were rather one-sided except for the Doubles semi-final between Nicola & Katherine and Alex & Jess which although only two sets, proved to be a close match with Alex and Jess losing the first set 6/3 and despite being 4/0 up in the second set, they squandered their lead and a set point to lose the second set and match 6/5.
Sunday was finals day starting with the Plate Singles in which Rachel Hollington beat Lucie Grosset quite comfortably 6/2 6/1. The Doubles Plate proved slightly closer with Jane Tayor & Caroline MacDowell beating Sarah Sullivan & Rosie Law in 2 sets, 6/4, 6/3. The British Open Singles was won, once again, by Claire Fahey beating Tara Lumley in straight sets without losing a game although that score did not reflect just how hard Tara fought all the way with some superb rallies only to end with Claire finally putting the ball away. The Handicap Doubles final brought on court the two youngest players Lydia & Georgia against Sophia & Kureha. Although Lydia & Georgia played some good points, Sophia & Kureha proved too experienced and more tactical and won the final 8/3. There is no doubt that the two Wellington girls are going to be ones to watch in the future under the watchful eyes of Dan Jones & Adam Player, and with Claire Fahey overseeing their Academy training. The final match of the day was the Open Doubles which Claire & Tara won comfortably without losing a game beating Nicola Doble & Katherine Carney.
This year’s competition was the last British Ladies Open to be held at Seacourt after 34 years. It will be played again in November this year at The Queen’s Club alongside The British Open at the request of the female elite players but with a reduced draw in both the Singles and Doubles competitions. We wish them every success in this new venture.
Thanks must go to the three professionals Andrew Lyons, Adam Player and Tim Armstrong for overseeing the marking of the matches, to Jon Cobon and his bar staff who worked tirelessly to ensure everyone was well supplied with drinks and to Fiona Branwhite for offering fabulous bar meals and a delicious Championships Dinner on Saturday evening. Our thanks also to Ben Geytenbeek and the T&RA for the top-quality streaming of the competition. Lastly, our thanks to Alex Garside, Viv Dawes and Jess Garside for overseeing the organisation of the competition, all of whom deserve a well-earned rest!
British Ladies Open 2025 Results
Open Singles
Winner: C Fahey Runner-up: T Lumley
Open Doubles
Winners: C Fahey & T Lumley Runners-up: N Doble & K Carney
Open Singles Plate
Winner: R Hollington Runner-up: L Grosset
Open Doubles Plate
Winners: J Taylor & C MacDowell Runners-up: S Sullivan & R Law
Open Handicap Doubles
Winners: S Lewis & K Yamaguchi Runners-up: L Compton-Burnett & G Toosey
