THIS summer’s third annual jdm Estate Agents junior tennis tournament at Sundridge Park LTC proved to be a huge success.

This year was a special tournament with an international flavour as a group of more than 30 American students came across the Atlantic to participate.

As a result, numbers were up significantly on 2008 with approximately 170 children taking part.

In the older age groups, winners were dominated by players from the USA.

On the receiving end of two high quality performances from the Americans was Karl Wimble from Hayes, who was defeated in three entertaining sets by Nathan Winters in the final of the men’s 21 and under singles.

Wimble’s second final of the day came to an abrupt end when, a set down, he injured his ankle and had to retire against America’s David Andersen in the 18 and under singles.

Anderson was undoubtedly the player of the week having already eliminated number one seed, Greg Caney from Essex, in three tremendous sets in the quarter-finals.

There was success for the home club in the 16 and under event with James Everett winning the title by defeating James Oni.

Oni managed to gain compensation later in the afternoon when he won the 14 and under event against Bexleyheath’s Cameron Hawkins in another good quality match.

Woolwich’s Louis Weymont triumphed in the 12 and under singles.

The girls’ events were not as competitive with a lot fewer entries.

However, this did not stop a good standard of play being exhibited by the American contingent who were successful in both the 18 and 16 and under categories, with Rebecca Jennings and Marianne Bonanno taking the titles respectively.

Bonanno defeated Maidstone’s Naomi Wylde in two close sets, who was later in the afternoon able to gain revenge for the Brits with a win in a closely-fought contest in the 14 and under singles against America’s Maria Shabashkevich.

Grace Bryan from Beckenham was the winner of the 12 and under event.