Potter Cup 2019

May 30 - June 2nd 2019

Venue: Real Club de Polo and Tennis, Barcelona, Spain

Men's Team Final Position: 5th

Women's Team Final Position: 3rd

Match report - MENS

by Men's Captain Nick Adams

The GB men’s team competed well at the 2019 Potter Cup and with a bit of fortune / results going their way could have ended up as finalists, or even winners. As it was we had to settle for 5th place with an opening loss to France followed by wins vs Spain B and USA.

In the first match against France, GB were 3-2 up after singles, but unfortunately lost 2 hard fought deciding championship tiebreaks in the doubles to lose 4-3. Seb Jackson won the match of the day, 7-5 in the 3rd vs the top French player, and there were also wins at 2 for Jeff Hunter and 5 for Nick Adams. With just one more day of red clay under the feet I’m sure we would have reversed the result.

On day 2 we beat a solid Spain B team 4-1, so no need for doubles, with Seb suffering at no 1 for his efforts on day 1 and all other team members winning their singles.

On the final day in the play-off for 5th place we played a team boasting Mickael Pernfors at no 3. We were again 3-2 up after the singles after wins from Seb, Jeff and Nick, and we managed to pick up the vital 4th rubber with a win at no 1 doubles for Seb and Nick, so a 4-3 victory overall.

The men’s event was won by the Irish who after being 3-2 up after singles were awarded both doubles matches as the French didn’t have the players to take to the court. It was a case of “what could have been” for the GB team.

Our team was strong this year, and there were perhaps 6 teams that were all well matched making the event very competitive. I would like to hope we can match the strength of this team next year, and if so think we have a good chance of being very competitive again.

The hospitality of both the Polo and the Real Clubs was again fantastic, with Berta Tintore working logistics to perfection.  The spirit between the men’s and ladies teams was great as always .

Match Report - LADIES

by Ladies Captain Leyla Ogan

As always, what a great weekend in sunny Barcelona playing at the beautiful clubs.

This year only 5 teams entered the ladies event. We were drawn against France first round and Jo Shepherd took the lead for team GB with some excellent clay court tennis. Jo toughed out a 3 set match against the experienced French clay court player

Teresa then secured the win for team GB and we were off to the pool for some afternoon relaxing. The timing worked out great, and we walked over to watch the men’s team battle it out in the doubles. 

Semi final day was always going to be tough for us. We know the Spanish girls well and have seen them compete many times in the world championships. Surprisingly they are even better on their red clay. However Jo and Teresa performed and competed well, they just lost to better players.

Myself and Teresa teamed up for the doubles and secured a win. This was the first time I’d competed this year since my stress fractures in November. I was happy to play, and even happier it was sunny!

On the final day we played Ireland in the 3/4 play off. Jo and Teresa won both their matches easily and GB came third for the third year running.

It was a great trip, as always. The tennis is the level of World Championships and we are given the best hospitality. The clubs are fantastic, we are spoilt all day and night.
The GB team as always competed hard on the court and had great bonding time with the men’s and ladies teams.

This is one of the best fixtures on the calendar

Thanks to everyone for all their support and communication in this event

Results in full

Womens:

Day 1: GB beat France 2-0

• Teresa Catlin beat M.Do Larras 6-4 7-5
• Jo Shepherd beat Chantal Grimal 3-6 6-3 6-2

Day 2: GB lost to Spain 2-1

• Teresa Catlin lost to Eva Bes 6-1 6-1
• Jo Shepherd lost to Noelia Perez 6-2 6-0
• Leyla Ogan/Teresa Catlin beat Gisela Riera/Nathalie Freixas 7-6(6) 6-3

Day 3: GB beat Ireland 2-0

• Teresa Catlin beat Lesley O’Halloran 6-2 6-0
• Jo Shepherd beat Carmel O’Hare 6-1 6-2

Overall position: 3^rd

Mens:

Day 1: GB lost to France 4-3

• Seb Jackson beat Stephane Grolier 4-6 6-1 7-5
• Jeff Hunter beat Olivier Cayla 6-3 6-4
• Andy Burgoyne lost to Nicolas Fourcade 4-6 5-7
• Ross Matheson lost to Olivier Bardet 4-6 4-6
• Nick Adams beat Laurent Schram 7-5 6-4
• Jackson/Burgoyne lost to Damiens/Fourcade 1-6 6-0 2-10
• Hunter/Matheson lost to Cayla/Deleval 3-6 6-2 6-10

Day 2: GB beat Spain 4-1

• Seb Jackson lost to David Pons 2-6 3-6
• Jeff Hunter beat Javier Moreno 4-6 6-0 6-1
• Andy Burgoyne beat Gerard Hausman 4-6 7-6(6) 10-3
• Ross Matheson beat Jordi Ahumada 6-1 6-2
• Nick Adams beat Sergio Palou 6-4 6-1

Day 3: GB beat USA 4-3

• Seb Jackson beat Mario Tabares 3-6 6-4 10-6
• Jeff Hunter beat Olivier Lorin 5-0 Ret
• Andy Burgoyne lost to Mikael Pernfors 0-6 0-6
• Ross Matheson lost to Tobias Svantesson 6-0 5-7 11=9
• Nick Adams beat Horacio Rearte 6-1 5-7 10-6
• Adams/Jackson beat Rearte/Tabares 6-3
•                              lost to Pernfors/Svantesson 6-7(4)

Overall position: 5th

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