Wicklow ace wins at Fitzwilliam
Wednesday August 25 2010
COUNTY WICKLOW'S Alan Gleeson emerged as winner of the Under-18 Singles title at Fitzwilliam last Saturday after a close encounter against fellow Wicklow player Ciaran Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald dominated the early stages of the match with Gleeson struggling to find some rhythm to his game and won the first set 6-3. An early break by Gleeson in the second set seemed to settle him and he held on to take the set and level the match at one set all.
Gleeson then raced to a 5-2 lead in the third set but was unable to close out the match in two serving attempts. Fitzgerald stormed back and levelled the tie at five games all in the third set before taking a 6-5 lead.
Gleeson steadied the ship to bring the set to 6-6 and a tie-break decider. But Fitzgerald now raced ahead to a 6-2 lead in the tie-break.
It seemed that Gleeson's opportunity had gone but with some inspired play he brought the score to 6-6, saving four match points. Gleeson then saved two further match points before serving out 10-8 to become the Irish Junior champion for 2010.
Gleeson now turns his attention to the International ITF Junior Circuit where he will compete at world ranking events during the coming months.
