Latest news with #BirminghamOpen
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mimi Xu reflects on strong week at Lexus Birmingham Open
By James Reid British teenager Mimi Xu reflected on a strong week of work despite defeat to Jessika Ponchet in the LTA's Lexus Birmingham Open quarter-finals. The 17-year-old beat top seed Alycia Parks and Pole Katarzyna Kawa to set up a last eight tie with world No.140 Ponchet but it proved a match too far at Edgbaston Priory. Advertisement Xu tried to battle back from a fast start from Ponchet but was unable to prevent the Frenchwoman from taking the first set and control of the contest despite a strong service game from the Swansea-born teenager. Ponchet rounded off victory in an hour and 25 minutes, but Xu was still pleased with her run to kick off the grass-court swing and took the positives from the defeat. She said: 'In all honesty I feel like I did all the right things, I had all the right intentions, it was just maybe on the execution. 'Overall, that is the best I have served this tournament, maybe this whole year, so I think I have got a lot to be proud of. Advertisement 'I have been giving it my all every single match, she was just too good today.' Ponchet set up a semi-final contest with Linda Fruhvirtova, who got past Lucreazia Stefanini 6-4 6-3. The men's singles will see Brandon Holt face Otto Virtanen for a place in the final. Holt beat veteran Adrian Mannarino 6-4 6-3, while Virtanen got past qualifier Coleman Wong 6-2 7-5. Xu's loss ended British interest in both of the singles draws, with compatriots Heather Watson and Amarni Banks both exiting in the first round while Jodie Burrage was beaten 6-0 6-4 by Fruhvirtova in the second. The men's draw saw early exits from Billy Harris, Johannus Monday, Jay Clarke and former world No.21 Dan Evans and home hopefuls in the men's doubles also tasted defeat on a busy Friday in Birmingham following a rain-impacted day of play on Thursday. Advertisement Monday and partner David Stevenson's run ended at the semi-final stage after straight sets defeat to Diego Hidalgo and Patrik Trhac, going down 6-4 6-4. The British pair enjoyed a strong week on the grass as the wildcards beat second seeds Santiago Gonzalez and Rafael Matos 5-7 6-3 10-5 in the second round. They then followed that up with a 6-4 6-4 win over Nicolas Barrientos and Rithvik Choudary Bollipalli in the quarter-finals to leave them one match away from the showpiece. But it proved a bridge too far as they were beaten on Friday evening by doubles specialists Hidalgo and Trhac. Alicia Barnett also tasted defeat in the women's doubles final alongside France's Elixane Lechemia. Advertisement The pair beat Ponchet and Magali Kempen 6-7(2) 6-4 10-7 to set up a final with Cristina Bucsa and Destanee Aiava, after they beat Australian second seeds Storm Hunter and Ellen Perez 2-6 6-4 12-10. But Bucsa and Aiava won 6-4 6-2 in just over an hour to take the title.
BBC News
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Birmingham Tennis Open hosts men for first time in 150 years
For 150 years, professional grass court tennis in Birmingham has been the preserve of women now, as this year's Lexus Birmingham Open gets under way, male players are for the first time serving alongside their female contrast to accusations of sexism that overshadowed the scheduling of matches at the French Open, tournament directors in Birmingham say the move is a "powerful statement that celebrates male and female athletes equally".Held at the Edgbaston Priory Club, it is the first tournament played on grass this season in the build-up to this year's Wimbledon championships. While Leyla Organ, director of racquets at the priory, does not see it as a "downgrade", the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) event is for the first time since 2021 a "challenger" tournament. Moving from a WTA 250 in 2024 to a WTA 125, it means players will win fewer ranking points and prize money on offer is lower."'We don't view the tournament as a downgrade or relegation as it's a brand-new event, welcoming both men and women to the club for the first time in our 150-year history," said Ms Organ."The combined format offers a completely new atmosphere and environment for young fans and aspiring players to be inspired by the game in their city." With the mix of male and female players, it means there are now seven courts of action for fans to tournament will bring new players to the grass, as well as familiar locals like Dan Evans who will be playing on home turf. The newly revamped grass courts are attracting players to make their debut off hard courts and those who are climbing in the ranks from matches earlier in the matches for the tournament continue later before the competitive matches begin in earnest on Monday.
Powys County Times
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Evans targeting memorable Midlands homecoming at Lexus Birmingham Open
Dan Evans hopes to cap a memorable Midlands homecoming when he makes his Lexus Birmingham Open debut next month. The former British No.1, 34, will make his maiden appearance at the Edgbaston Priory Club event as men's tennis joins the initially women's-only competition for the very first time. The new 'mini-Wimbledon' format will kick off a new-look summer grass court season and Birmingham ace Evans, the former world No.21, is targeting an emotional ATP triumph on home soil. 'This summer is going to be extra special for me as I will get the chance to play at my home grass court event in Birmingham for the first time,' said Evans, who played for Great Britain in a Davis Cup tie in Birmingham in 2016. 'It's great that the Lexus Birmingham Open is a mixed event, so the fans get a chance to see even more great tennis at one of the best venues in this country. 'I have enjoyed some of the best moments of my career on grass and I've won titles in Nottingham and Surbiton in the past, so I know I can deliver on that stage. 'Hopefully I can challenge for silverware and bring home the trophy for Birmingham.' The Birmingham tournament has a rich history in women's tennis, with the event that staged at the club since 1982 and won by some of the greats of the game including Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova, Maria Sharapova and Petra Kvitova. With the main draws starting on June 1, the Birmingham Open will be the first major event of the grass court summer, which also includes a brand new women's WTA 500 tournament at The Queen's Club in London. Britain's Billie Jean King Cup team member Harriet Dart has also confirmed she will be playing in Birmingham, with tournament director Kirsty Thomson excited to oversee the starting point of what promises to be a thrilling summer of grass court tennis. 'It's great to have a combined women's and men's event in Birmingham for the first time and we are excited to give the grass court season a fitting start,' she said. 'Birmingham's Edgbaston Priory Club has an incredible history for showcasing world-class tennis and this will continue in June. 'British stars Dan Evans and Harriet Dart have confirmed they are playing and we are looking forward to welcoming more top class players to the Lexus Birmingham Open.'
