Candy clinches British glory

The Rye Tennis Club head coach clinched the women’s over-60s singles at the British Open Seniors Indoor Championships 2014 in Dudley.

Seeded one, Candy - enjoying her first year in the over-60 age group - had a bye in the opening round before whitewashing Jennifer Dilley 6-0, 6-0 in round two.

Her quarter-final against Ann Brown, however, was a good deal tougher. Candy had a real fight against the eighth seeded former Great Britain senior team member before coming through 2-6, 6-3, 6-1 in a two-and-a-half hour battle featuring a number of long rallies.

Candy cruised through her semi-final against the unseeded Alison Hockey without dropping a game to set up a final showdown against her third seeded Great Britain team-mate Pauline Fisher.

That proved to be another two-hour tussle, but Candy prevailed 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 to add to the several titles she has won in other age groups.

“It was improving,” said St Leonards-based Candy. “My last competitive match was in April 2013, and you can train and train, but it’s playing matches that gets you really sharp. As the week progressed I was getting into it more and more.”

Candy was seeded two in the women’s doubles, but didn’t get to play a match because partner Sally Freeman withdrew through injury.

Ranked 16th in the world for her age group, Candy is hoping to be selected for the ITF Super-Seniors World Team Championships in October.