GB no.3 Louie Harris posted a career-best result at last weekend’s ground-breaking FIP Silver R3 Bullpadel Cup at Rocket Padel Bristol.
The tournament marked the highest-level professional padel event ever hosted on British soil, attracting both top national and international players.
Welshman Louie and Glaswegian partner Alex Loughlan reached the quarter-finals of the men’s competition in Bristol, where they lost out to sixth seeds Pepe Aliaga and Diego Dorta Diaz of Spain 2-6 7-6 6-2. As a result, Louie’s world ranking takes a leap of 37 places to 332.
“Delighted to have recorded a career-best result this weekend,” said Louie. “As a Welshman playing in Bristol, I definitely felt I had the home advantage, well nearly anyway!”
Elsewhere in the men’s draw, wildcard pairing Jake Bewley and Theo Garton got to the round of 16, but British no.1 Christian Medina Murphy and partner Alberto Garcia Jimenez, the second seeds, suffered a surprise 7-6 6-3 loss to a French pair in the first round.
Tia Norton, the highest ranked British female in the draw, made a strong run to the quarter-finals alongside Belgian partner Helena Wyckaert. The pair fought hard but were defeated in three sets by the eventual champions, Monica Gomez Rivas and Camila Fassio Goyeneche (pictured below).
Alongside the FIP Silver, the event also saw Bristol host the first of three FIP Promises tournaments, important junior tournaments that give young talents the chance to earn international ranking points in their respective age categories on home soil.
Libby Fletcher, LTA National Performance Pathway Manager, said: “It was great to attend the first ever international junior FIP Promises tournament in Great Britain. This is a big milestone for LTA junior padel and the first of three tournaments we have committed to bringing here this year to provide our British players the opportunity to compete internationally.
“The tournament was very competitive with a strong European entry list. It was fantastic to see our GB players battle against more experienced pairs and show that junior padel in this country is growing rapidly and improving.”
Meanwhile, in Qatar, another milestone for British padel was achieved with GB no.1 Aimee Gibson and no.2 Catherine Rose competing in their first ever Premier Padel competition.
Facing Spain’s Carmen Castillon Gamez and legendary Swede Carolina Navarro Bjork in the first qualifying round, the British duo sadly had to retire at 2-1 down in the deciding set as Catherine had sustained an injury.
“What an experience to play this incredible tournament,” posted Aimee on Instagram. “Unfortunately my partner had to retire 2-1 down in the third set after having one match point. Get well soon Catherine Rose. It was an honour to compete against an ex-world no.1 in this match. Proud of our level.”
Check all the results from the FIP Silver R3 Bullpadel Cup here
Check the latest from the Qatar Major Premier Padel here
