Ilkley Trophy: Johnson and Bains flying flag for Leeds

The sun shone on the Leeds-born players at the Ilkley Trophy where Luke Johnson and Naiktha Bains both progressed into doubles semi-finals in tough match-deciding tiebreak victories.

Johnson, 28, partnered by 21-year-old Scotsman Aidan McHugh beat highly-rated French pair Lucas Pouille and Constant Lestienne.

The British pair took control of the first set with two breaks of serve and recovered after the loss of one of them to serve out the set.

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Johnson and McHugh looked to be cruising after going a break ahead in the second set, but went on to lose 6-4 before recovering well to come through the 10-point tiebreak and win 6-4 4-6 10-7.

The LTA Trophy Series played at Ilkley Tennins Club.  Picture: Tony JohnsonThe LTA Trophy Series played at Ilkley Tennins Club.  Picture: Tony Johnson
The LTA Trophy Series played at Ilkley Tennins Club. Picture: Tony Johnson

Johnson said: “There were always going to be some twists and turns, so it was good to get through. It was a difficult end to the second set, losing from a break up, but we regrouped like we did in the last round and came through in the tiebreak.

“They’re two very well-established singles players so we knew that we had to assert ourselves on the court early, I feel we did that.

“We needed to make sure it was a doubles match out there, we didn’t want to get into a match where we were playing from the baseline against them.

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“It’s an amazing tournament, the crowds here are probably the best out of any tournament I’ve played so far this year.”

Luke Johnson from Leeds  playing in the Men's Doubles with his Scottish partner Aiden McHugh.  Picture: Tony JohnsonLuke Johnson from Leeds  playing in the Men's Doubles with his Scottish partner Aiden McHugh.  Picture: Tony Johnson
Luke Johnson from Leeds playing in the Men's Doubles with his Scottish partner Aiden McHugh. Picture: Tony Johnson

Bains, 24, also partnered with a Scottish player, Maia Lumsden, against No 4 seeds Ingrid Gamarra Martins of Brazil and Briton Emily Webley-Smith.

The all-British pair recorded a 2-6 6-3 11-9 victory to set up a semi-final meeting with second seeds Estelle Cascino and Jessika Ponchet from France.

Wins for Sonay Kartal and Jodie Burrage made the London-born pair the only Brits to reach the quarter-finals of the singles events.

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Kartal, 20, ranked 268 in the world, recovered from a difficult start to win in three sets 3-6 6-3 6-3 against 26-year-old fellow British player Yuriko Lily Miyazaki.

Japanese player Yuriko Lily Miyazaki plays Brit Sonay Kartal on centre court.  Picture: Tony JohnsonJapanese player Yuriko Lily Miyazaki plays Brit Sonay Kartal on centre court.  Picture: Tony Johnson
Japanese player Yuriko Lily Miyazaki plays Brit Sonay Kartal on centre court. Picture: Tony Johnson

Burrage, 23, joined Kartal in the quarters thanks to an impressive 6-3 6-2 victory against No 5 seed Mai Hontama, ranked 80 places higher than Burrage at 136, from Japan.

Unranked 17-year-old Ranah Akua Stoiber, from Middlesex, saw her breakthrough run end in a three set marathon against 
No 4 seed Daria Snigur of Ukraine.

The last British man standing in the men’s singles, Lincoln’s Dan Cox, 31, lost in straight sets to Zizou Bergs.

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