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Sussex Ladies Battle on Home Turf Tennis fans in Eastbourne will have plenty to cheer at this year�s LTA Inter-County Cup Championships from 19 � 23 July, as Sussex Ladies fight for the title on home ground. Tennis fans in Eastbourne will have plenty to cheer at this year�s LTA Inter-County Cup Championships from 19 � 23 July, as Sussex Ladies fight for the title on home ground. Following their promotion last season to the premier league of Group 1, the team will be battling against five other counties to win the most sought after county tennis trophy in Great Britain. Sussex Ladies Team Captain, Anne Clark said �The team are very excited to be back in Group 1, the first time since 1988, and are looking forward to some high standard tennis and would welcome some home support.� Sussex Ladies, which include former British stars Julie Pullin and Clare Wood amongst their provisionally nominated players, will be competing against Warwickshire, Essex, South Wales, Leicestershire and last year�s winners Surrey. British No. 4 and Federation Cup team member Amanda Janes is nominated for Essex, following her title win at Felixstowe last week. Janes also proved a Devonshire Park favourite at the Hastings Direct International Championships last month, reaching the last 16 after defeating Jie Zheng in straight sets, ranked an impressive 191 places above her. However the challenge against her next opponent, top seed Amelie Mauresmo, was too tough and Mauresmo ended the British star�s impressive run. In the Mens event Kent, Hampshire & Isle of Wight, Surrey, Lancashire and Berkshire will all be battling for the trophy, while Yorkshire will be hoping to repeat their win last year. Provisional nominated players include British No. 4 and Davis Cup player Jonny Marray from Yorkshire, who proved a tough opponent against Leyton Hewitt this year at the Stella Artois Championships, taking the World No. 6 to a tie break in each set. Former schoolmate of Tim Henman and British No. 5 Jamie Delgado is also nominated by Berkshire and former British star Danny Sapsford could be playing for Surrey. Tournament Director Julie Piper said �I look forward to welcoming everybody to the event. Whilst subject to player�s international and professional duties, there is a superb opportunity to see some great players and some excellent tennis � all free of charge!� A total of 44 counties compete in the Championships across the country and are divided into six leagues, with premier Group 1 competing in Eastbourne for the Inter-County Championship title. Altogether around 100 players are expected at Devonshire Park at the week long tournament, organised by the Lawn Tennis Association. Eastbourne Borough Council Spokesperson for Tourism, Councillor David Elkin said �With such superb tennis on offer, a visit to Devonshire Park next week is a must for all sports fans. With so many players arriving along with their coaches, friends and family supporters, hotels and other businesses should receive a nice boost too. Best of luck to Sussex Ladies!� Play starts each day from 10.30am (subject to weather and court suitability) and entry to Devonshire Park is free. Refreshment kiosks and a restaurant in the International Lawn Tennis Centre will be open for all spectators throughout the day. The Championships run from 19 � 23 July at Devonshire Park, for the latest results throughout the week visit www.lta.org.uk/SeeTheAction/results. |
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