Thomas, 16, wins his first junior world ranking points
TEENAGER Thomas Giles has secured his first junior world ranking points after competing in two tournaments in Porto, writes John Bryson.
Loughborough Lawn Tennis Club member Thomas, 16, won two qualifying rounds for a clay court event before losing in the final qualifying round.
In the doubles, he teamed up with Scotland’s Charlie Robertson and they forged a great partnership, winning three matches en route to the semi-finals.
They managed to get within two points of making the final before finally falling 10-8 in the tie-break in a close and tense affair.
Charlie and Thomas had never played doubles together before so their achievement surpassed all expectations.
The second tournament took place on a hard surface and Thomas powered through the first singles match using his big serve to great effect.
In his second match, after losing the first set, he won the second 6-0 but was unable to maintain that momentum and lost the final set.
It was in the doubles where Giles again excelled, making the semi-finals but this time with a different partner, Josh Manuel.
They played some outstanding tennis to beat three other pairings in a tournament which attracted quality players from around the world.
This was Giles’s first two international events and his goal was to secure a world ranking point.
He secured five points in the end, which will help him qualify for more international junior events.
Giles started at the University of Bath Tennis Academy earlier this month and plans to participate in more tournaments in Loughborough later this month.