Many congratulations to Tom Billings, the new Singles World Champion.
Tom won the first and only game needed 15-10 to clinch the title having led 4-0 vs Alex Duncliffe-Vines after the first leg at Queens last Saturday.
A packed Detroit gallery eagerly anticipated this match aware of Alex’s ability and previous come backs. Both players started tentatively experimenting with length and width on a cold Detroit court. At 5-5 it was anyone’s guess. Later on in the first game Tom started to serve more freely and place the ball deeper into the back corners and had an impressive run to distance himself to 14-10 and bring up championship point. Serving his recognizable double handed backhand from the right box he served one final ace and with that became World Champion.
At the prize giving NARA president, Michael Mclernon congratulated Tom on his hard work and disciplined preparation for this title. Tom has been dominant in singles tournaments over the qualifying period and he is a well deserving champion. Alex should also be proud of where he has got to, there is no doubt we will be seeing Alex on this stage again in the future.
Special thanks must go to the entire team at the Detroit Racket Club for hosting a very memorable event.