The British / Spanish duo of Tia Norton and Carla Fito have claimed the title at the LTA’s first 2022 event in Stratford, defeating some of the top seeds in the process.
Dropping only 6 games all tournament, Norton and Fito, who are housemates in Barcelona where they train full-time, looked in imperious form.
They brushed aside Flavia Garcia Vazquez and Cheche Loeda in the first round at Stratford Padel Club winning 6-0, 6-1 in 38 minutes.
The quarter-finals promised a stiffer test against third seed Sara Essa and Victoria Nicholas but again the British/Spanish duo appeared untroubled, taking the match 6-1, 6-1.
Top seed Elizabeth Fletcher and Claire Smith awaited them in the semis, Fletcher and Smith both with relatively fresh legs after benefitting from a bye in the first round. However it wasn’t to be for the Durham pairing as Norton and Fito again prevailed 6-0, 6-1.
With tournament organisers deciding that the tournament was to be completed that day, the players steadied themselves for one last push for victory. In the end however Norton and Fito proved too strong, winning 6-2 6-0 in 55 minutes.
Norton said afterwards “I’m super-happy to come away with the victory this weekend! I also want to congratulate all the men and women who participated. I haven’t played a tournament in the UK for a couple of years, so it’s amazing to see the growth of the sport. I’m very excited to see what the future holds for padel here”.
She added “I’d also like to thank the LTA and Stratford Padel Club for organising the event – you guys rock! As always, big thanks to my sponsors NOX, Game4Padel, MATCHi, Padelshack and Bynx who are supporting me on this journey. I’m loving every minute”.
The event must be judged a success both for the LTA, who oversee the development of Padel in this country, and Stratford Padel club, a trailblazing facility run by a collective of padel fanatics who have built a loyal and vibrant membership. The club boasts an impressive five courts, housed in a warehouse just a stone’s throw from the Olympic park. Complete with bar, shop, and a food van outside selling a range of tasty empanadas, it appeals to a wide cross-section of recreational and competitive players.
The men’s tournament continues today.
Full results (women)
Round 1
Elizabeth Fletcher (1) / Claire Smith – bye
Helen Crook / Jo Ward bt Dani Alves / Carolina Merletti 6-3 6-0 (39′)
Sara Essa (3) / Victoria Nicholas – bye
Carla Fito / Tia Norton bt Flavia Garcia Vazquez / Cheche Loeda 6-0 6-1 (38′)
Lisa Phillips / Abigail Tordoff bt Patricia Gisbert Gimeno / Cristina Gonzalez Poch 6-3 6-1 (32′)
Sara Lopez-Viejo Shams (4) / Marina Rossello-Knabe – bye
Denise Negro / Paola Pernice bt Anne-Claire Lerin / Dana Lin 6-0 6-0 (27′)
Alexandra Crawford (2) / Jacqueline Darby – bye
Quarter-finals
Elizabeth Fletcher (1) / Claire Smith bt Helen Crook / Jo Ward 6-0 6-2 (51′)
Carla Fito / Tia Norton bt Sara Essa (3) / Victoria Nicholas 6-1 6-1 (51′)
Lisa Phillips / Abigail Tordoff bt Sara Lopez-Viejo Shams (4) / Marina Rossello-Knabe 6-2 6-3 (50′)
Denise Negro / Paola Pernice bt Alexandra Crawford (2) / Jacqueline Darby 6-1 6-0 (40′)
Semi-finals
Carla Fito / Tia Norton bt Elizabeth Fletcher (1) / Claire Smith 6-0 6-1 (50′)
Lisa Phillips / Abigail Tordoff bt Denise Negro / Paola Pernice 6-0 6-0 (51′)
Final
Carla Fito / Tia Norton bt Lisa Phillips / Abigail Tordoff 6-2 6-0 (55′)
