U15 Success for Ryan Williams in Milton Keynes
On Sat Dec 17th at the Milton Keynes 2 tournament it took an outstanding performance from Ryan Williams (Ellenborough) to win the boys U15 event.
Ryan started the day having to defend his U14 title. A notoriously slow starter Ryan seemed to be up for the challenge winning his group with ease beating both Sam Cartwright and Ashley Felix 3-0. He had to negotiate a tricky second round group but with wins against Edward Haskell and James Smith, both 3-1 meant that yet again Ryan was in the final. In the final Ryan had to play Alex Ramsden, seeded 2. Ryan played aggressively and took the first set 11-7, the second set was a complete turnaround with Alex playing to his strengths, Ryan’s frustration was beginning to show and Alex won the second and third sets comfortably, Ryan was determined to take the match into a fifth set and picked his game up to take the fourth set. The fifth set was very close with both players showing signs of nerves, Ryan had a match point at 11-10 but missed his chance and Alex went on to triumph 13-11.
In the boys U15 event Ryan picked himself up from the earlier disappointment to win his first round group with little fuss. In the second round he was again drawn with James Smith and Alex Ramsden, he convincingly beat James 3-0, setting up a return match with Alex to determine who goes through to the final. The match was an opportunity for Ryan to gain revenge and as a result got off to a blistering start attacking Alex on both wings with some heavy topspins. Ryan won the first set and narrowly lost the second, set 3 and 4 was shared and for the second time they went into a fifth set. Ryan stayed calm throughout the final set playing without fear. He was too strong for Alex producing some powerful forehand shots on the way to winning the set 11-4 and the match. In the final Ryan played Jonny Higgins from Shropshire, and having lost in the U14 final earlier Ryan was not about to let this final slip through his fingers. He played positively and took the match 3-0. Another brilliant performance from Ryan showing all the skill and mental strength needed to be a worthy champion.
