Abbie enjoys scorcher of a trip to Romania

LOUGHBOROUGH Lawn Tennis Club member Abbie Breakwell has just returned after taking part in two tournaments in Romania, writes John Bryson.

Abbie said: “I really enjoyed the trip, but at times it was really hot. One day we were playing in a temperature of 42C!

“I played in two events, which were part of the International Tennis Federation Futures Wheelchair Circuit, first in Arges and then Bucharest.

“In the Arges event

I reached the singles semi-finals, losing to my doubles partner

Brita Wend, of Germany.

“Earlier in the draw, I put out Wendi Schutte of

The Netherlands, who is a very experienced player and is several places above me in the world rankings.

“That was the match I played at 42 degrees centigrade, and I won 3-6 6-4 6-1. “Wendi and I reached the semifinals in the doubles, losing to the top seeds.

“In Bucharest, the tournament was played at the Romanian National Tennis Facility. I reached the quarterfinals in the singles, where I lost to Shiori Funamizu of Japan, who is ranked 19 in the world. “Brita and I paired up again in the doubles, and we won the title, putting out the top two seeded pairs on the way.

“My world rankings have gone up after these two tournaments.

“My singles ranking is now 68 and my doubles is 55, which are my best so far, while my under-18 ranking stays at three.”

Abbie is playing in the School Games National Finals at Loughborough University, which begin today and runs until September 5.