GB U18 no.1 Ben Phillips and partner Alonso Moreno Muñoz put on a dominant display to win the FIP Promises Padel Point in Mansoura, Egypt.
The Nottingham teenager admitted he was “disappointed” not to be playing for the GB men’s squad at the FIP World Cup European qualifier in Madrid (he has previously partnered multiple members of the squad), but issued a timely reminder of his talents with a scintillating performance on the youth scene.
Phillips and his Spanish partner coasted through every round on the way to the FIP Promises final in Egypt, winning their round of 16 tie 6-1, 6-4, before a 6-0, 6-3 quarter-final victory and a 6-1, 6-2 romp in the semis.
The final was a tougher challenge, with the British-Spanish pairing forced to a tie-break in the first set, which they won, before they went to the 12th game in the second before eventually confirming a 7-6, 7-5 victory, not dropping a set across the tournament.
Ben is now the 10th highest-rated under-18 male player in Europe, an achievement he’s “super happy” with, having climbed 17 places with his title in Egypt – his third on the Promises tour.
He told The Padel Paper: “It was straightforward until the final, getting used to the conditions, playing in the heat and then at night.
“The final was a very difficult game with or opponents playing amazing and really bright talents. We didn’t find our best level and not being able to adapt to the conditions [didn’t help], but we stuck in and managed to take the win.”
Phillips kept up with GB’s FIP World Cup qualifying progress via social media over the weekend.
“The Worlds qualifying was all over my Instagram so of course I saw results and then I watched the men’s matches against Germany.
“Of course, it was a goal of mine and I was hoping to be in the squad, disappointed not to, but it only drives me to be in the team next time.
“Now it’s time to focus on the National Championships and some tournaments in the UK, hoping to find my level and compete before moving to Madrid in January.”
