ODIHAM tennis ace Ryan Golesworthy ended 2017 on a high note, as after representing Hampshire under-18s earlier in the year, he also made his debut for the Men’s County team.

Golesworthy’s last tournament of 2017 was at the Grade 3 Regional Christmas tournament where the 16-year-old took part in the men’s singles and doubles tournament.

Golesworthy was seeded third in the singles tournament which had almost 50 entries.

His first match was against Surrey’s Luca Battista with Golesworthy winning 6-0 6-1. Up next was another Surrey player, Arum Akom. Golesworthy took the match 6-2, 6-0. The quarter final against Buckinghamshire’s Oscar Glenister ended in a win for Golesworthy, 6-3, 6-3.

In the semi-final Golesworthy was up against Middlesex player Sebastien Mathieu, the number two seed.

In arguably the best match of the tournament, the players battled hard. The match went to a third set tie break with the Hampshire player winning 6-4, 3-6, 10-8.

The final against Berkshire’s Krishan Taneja was an entertaining match with Golesworthy winning 6-2, 6-4. But Golesworthy’s win was not without a scare as he slipped on the baseline, whilst chasing a return on match point, landing heavily. Although Golesworthy lost that game, he regrouped and went on to win the singles title.

In the doubles, Golesworthy paired up with fellow Hampshire County Team player, Liam Hignett.

First up was a match against Middlesex players Oliver and Oscar Jacobson. Golesworthy and Hignett winning 6-3, 6-3.

They won the quarter final against Surrey players Patrick Mpalanyi and Henry Kuteesaakwe 6-1 6-2.

The semi final was against Berkshire’s William Fyall and fellow Hampshire player Josh Goodall (previously ranked 114 in the world). Golesworthy and Hignett gained valuable experience playing opposite Goodall as they won 7-5 6-4 in a fiercely contested match.

The final saw the Hampshire pair up against the number two seeds, Oscar Glenister (Buckinghamshire) and James Weller (Hertfordshire).

The Hampshire players stayed steady and played well to win the match and the tournament 6-4,6-3.