Sunderland plays host to Pro-Series tennis finals
Sunderland Tennis Centre hosts the singles finals of the LTA GB Pro-Series event on Sunday.
Both men’s and women’s competitions are ITF World Tennis Tour $25k tournaments.
The event is part of an international calendar of tournaments being staged by the LTA in Britain in 2020, providing a showcase for tennis outside of the traditional summer grass court season and opening up the sport to more fans around the country.
The schedule is also part of the LTA’s new long-term Performance Strategy, and aims to provide more opportunities for British players to compete, earn ranking points and win prize money in the UK.
The LTA’s Pro Scholarship Programme provides world class coaching, medical and financial support to the likes of Jack Draper, Anton Matusevich, Fran Jones and other elite professional players aged 16-24 with the potential to reach the top 100 within five years.
Richard Joyner, LTA Tournament Director, said: “We always look forward to going back to Sunderland to host this brilliant tournament.
"The welcome and friendliness everyone receives make this a very popular stop on the ITF World Tennis Tour.
"We’ve got a very exciting player field this year with some excellent young players both from the UK and overseas players, many of whom are rising up the world rankings quickly.
"The Sunderland Tennis Centre is a fantastic venue for this event and it’s a great opportunity for people in the north east to see professional tennis close up.”
* Briton Heather Watson overcame Chr istina McHale 6-3 1-6 6-1 to reach the Mexican Open last four.
After taking the first set in 39 minutes, Watson was broken twice in the second as the American levelled.
Seventh seed Watson broke twice in the decider before serving out the match and will play China's Xiyu Wang next.
In the men's event, fellow Briton Kyle Edmund was defeated 6-4 6-3 by American world number 35 Taylor Fritz in his quarter-final.
Fritz broke at 5-4 to take the first set and then twice more in the second.