Group B Drama

Group B proved to be the most exciting climax of the two groups. Wright capped off his position at the top of the group with a straight sets win over Crawte. Wright managed to kill off the Crawte resistance by taking the first set (despite Crawte serving for It) 7-6 . After that wright seemed to highlight why he has finished the group top with a 6 -2 second set win to round off the match. Cratwe 'I'm abit down I had a good chance of coming through this group but It was'nt to be'. Wright ' He was hot today! The first set.....man he was smoking! when he broke me to serve for It I was like NO YOU DIDN'T! Then I started playing better. I'm ecstatic to be through , I look forward to going toe to toe with Bubien.'

'He ain't heavy! Hes my brother'

In the second match on centre was the clash of the Hodgson brothers. P.Hodgson had the tuff task of hoping to beat his brother and record his first win this year whilst hoping results went his way. However R.Hodgson (The messiah for future reference) had other Ideas The messiah managed to overcome his brother with power and smart serving backed up with somewhat reliable volleying. The messiah managed to end his brothers dreams this year 6-3 , 6-4. The messiah 'I believed If I had faith I would overcome the challenege. I have much love for my brother however I had to Ignore that on court and go out there and win. Willmott is gonna be tuff but everyone In the semis are'. P Hodgson 'Im upset sure but I gave It my best shot. I'll be workin throughout the winter and I'll be back next year'.

Willmott Overcomes Bubien

Despite all spectators leaving Willmott and bubien still came out to go head to head. A contender for match of the tournament got underway and saw a real slug-fest.

Bubien came out the blocks quicker and took a 3-0 lead. Willmott managed to fight back but Bubien stamped his authority to go 5-2 ahead. However a new more proffesional Willmott began to string some clever points together and pull the set back to 5-5. The set then fell Into the lottery of the tie break which Willmott took 7- 5.

The second set started much like the first with Bubien taking a 3-0 lead. However again Willmott stamped out the wild shots and took the second set 6-3 sealing the number one spot In the group.

Willmott 'I knew today was gonna be hard .We both hustle and fight for every point. I felt useless In the first set so i started playing calmer and not trying to rip my groundstrokes. I was pleased to pull It back as this Is the first time I've had to fight In a Match. . I'm gald we have both come through  and I'm looking forward to playing Hodgson . I wish Bubien all the luck in his Semi Its gonna be tough for both players'

Bubien' Wow I gotta hand It to Willmott the guy was tuff as usual and was better than me today. But I definatly feel I wasn't on the money today . I tried most things today but not much was clicking . The first set was crutial and In the end I think that was the turning point. In a way maybe losing today was better I know what I've got to work on and do better In the semis. I'm happy with second and look forward to playing Wright . I wish Willmott all the luck against Hodgson should be a good contest'.

Officials were left In dismay after day 1 of the Sawston Open was rained off. With the second group A match rescheduled those on centre court awaited the remaining group A match Willmott vs Green late this afternoon.

Willmott v Green

                    In an Intriguing match on centre court today Willmott and Green got their Open campaigns off a running.

In a close first set which saw Green losing two set points Willmott managed to keep his cool and take the set. 'I'm haapy with how I handled myself In those tight spots In the first set. I could have blown up when I was starring down the barrel at two set points but I kept my cool and Im happy' Willmott.

In the second set Green seemed mentally fatigued at losing the first allowing Willmott to pull away and take the set and match 7-5 , 6-2.

Green ' I was upset about losing the first set . I think that got to me abit I knew after I lost those set points hed take the set. I felt my knee abit towards the end. I feel the balls didt help me either , the bounce was far too high ! Hopefully my second round match will see balls with a kinder bounce'.

Willmott 'I definatly feel the first set could have gone either way. I managed to take it though which gave me licence to open my shoulders abit In the second set.I managed to hit alot of winners whcih I was pleased with.  I saw Green as a potential threat so I'm pleased to come through. I'm pleased with my performance to an extent being I adapted my game and tried to get Into the net before he did. I have to play better as the tournament progressive but Im happy I did enough to win and look forward to the next challenge of White '

After the first match on centre the mouth watering Group B match up of Wright vs Hodgson got underway.

The opening set seemed to signal a routine nights work first fresh faced 17 year old Hodgson.  In Just under 25 mins Hodgson crushed Wright 6-0 with a flurry of winners. Wright 'I was just too defensive'.

It seemed the second set would follow suit with Wright down 4-2. However Wrights resilience began to show as he broke back and took the set to a tie break and took the tie break 7-4.

With Wright was the momentum and you could feel the change. Wright seemed to get a step quicker In the third with Hodgson waning with the disappointment of the second. The two baseliners continued to slug It out In the third giving the fans what they so wanted to see. Hodgson managed to get an early break however It was soon stamped out by Wright who managed to gain a 5-3 lead. Hodgson however showed his own endeavour and pulled the set back to 5-5. The tension was unbearable as dusk drew In the players and the crowd were Involved In something special. Wrights nerve held as he pushed for deuce on the Hodgson at 7-6 wtight Hodgson serving Wright broke and ended the 2 hour 15 minute marathon.

Quotes to follow pending Interviews

Group B consists of both Peter and Richard Hodgson which means sparks are sure to fly when these two meet in match 3 which could also result in one of them being eliminated.

Elsewhere in this group both Jason's in this tournament will face off at some point which could prove to be one of the tightest matches of the Open.

Matches scheduled for Day 2:

Peter Hodgson vs. Jason Crawte

Richard Hodgson vs. Jason Wright

Matches have been moved to Wednesday due to poor weather conditions which resulted in Day 1 of the Open being cancelled. Matches will now continue starting with Group A matches on the 11 of July (afternoon session).

Tournament  Preview

One great English Tournament ends another begins. On the 10th july Sawston courts will be graced by the presence of the two opening group A fixtures. A.Green takes on K.willmott whilst S.Bubien tackles the tournament whipping boy A.White. Both matches promise some extra-ordinary tennis.

We caught up with S.Bubien on the practice courts ahead of his first round match. This is what he had to say ahead of the big match when asked how he feels about his chances in this opening match-' i feel good, his game can be tricky to handle sometimes with his santoro slice game but i think if i stay consistent with my groundstrokes i can break him down..'  His opponent A.White, who has been hassled by the media increasingly since the first round draw, commented 'to be entirely honest, i dont think i stand a chance but if i can expose my opponent to sunlight and maybe water i feel as though i can break the man down.'  Bubien is certainly going into his match in some form and is looking to emulate his opponent in straight sets, whereas White is just happy to be here.

When asked how he feels about his first match against Green, K.Willmott said,'i need to keep antony off balance and play to his weaker side. i need to play my own game and execute my shots well. i cant let green get a rhythm going. if ant plays to his strengths it could equate to a problem. its gonna be a great match!