Great Britain sweeps first day of Van Alen Trophy
Vallat, Yorston, Flynn and Batstone record singles wins over USA
Great Britain have won all four singles matches against the USA in the Van Alen Trophy at Seacourt on Friday, placing one hand on the coveted youth team trophy with four doubles matches still to play.
The final of the three triangular youth team matches — the Van Alen Trophy between Great Britain and the USA — kicked off with the 4th string singles. American Dawson Chisholm took on Britain’s Ned Batstone. Despite facing off against a much higher ranked opponent, Chisholm took the game on, getting off the blocks quickly and sparring toe-to-toe with Batstone in the early rallies. Batstone wasn’t able to fully utilise the natural advantages of the service end, giving Chisholm the opportunity to pressure Batstone into the corners — helped on the way by a few favourable net cords. From 3-all in the first set, Batstone finally lifted his level, hitting the ball cleanly and sweetly, only dropping one further game for the match.
Next, Britain’s Will Flynn played America’s Tarquin Sotir in the 3rd singles. The rallies were short at sharp, as Sotir looked to attack as much as possible at the dedans. Flynn took control of the match early, finding the perfect length on his demi-pique serve to completely neutralise any threat that Sotir posed. The Briton was poised and patient, waiting for the inevitable mistake from Sotir, cruising to victory by dropping only one game in each set.
In the 2nd singles, Britain’s Benedict Yorston played America’s Spencer Yager. Yorston dominated the match, playing a chanceless game giving away very few points as he danced across the back of the court retrieving with ease. The first set was concluded in barely 13 minutes, though Yager had a little more success in the second whenever he had a shot on the grille. Nevertheless, Yorston’s drag serves were proving an effective weapon as he completed a straightforward victory.
The last match of the day featured top seeds Bertie Vallat for Great Britain and Ben Dickinson for the United States. Vallat was unstoppable, keeping his serving tight and neutralising Dickinson’s feared forcing weapon. Instead, it was Vallat who won the dedans battle, smacking several forces in hard and straight. Otherwise, Vallat stuck to his classic floor game which was sufficient to overcome a spirited but fruitless effort from Dickinson.
The play continues on Saturday — the last day of the youth tournaments — with the doubles matches of the Van Alen Trophy. Great Britain enters as heavy favourites, needing only one match win to secure overall victory.
Match results:
Van Alen Trophy — GB leads USA 4-0
10:00 AM (4th Singles): Ned Batstone (GB) def Dawson Chisholm (USA) 6/4 6/1
11:30 AM (3rd Singles): Will Flynn (GB) def Tarquin Sotir (USA) 6/1 6/1
1:00 PM (2nd Singles): Benedict Yorston (GB) def Spencer Yager (USA) 6/0 6/3
2:30 PM (1st Singles): Bertie Vallat (GB) def Ben Dickinson (USA) 6/2 6/1
Order of play for Tuesday (all times BST):
Van Alen Trophy (GB vs USA)
10:00 AM (1 & 2 doubles): Bertie Vallat & Benedict Yorston (GB) vs Ben Dickinson & Spencer Yager (USA)
11:30 AM (3 & 4 doubles): Will Flynn & Ned Batstone (GB) vs Tarquin Sotir & Dawson Chisholm (USA)
1:00 PM (1 & 3 doubles): Bertie Vallat & Will Flynn (GB) vs Ben Dickinson & Tarquin Sotir (USA)
2:30 PM (2 & 4 doubles): Benedict Yorston & Ned Batstone (GB) vs Spencer Yager & Dawson Chisholm (USA)
4:00 PM (Deciding doubles (if required)): Benedict Yorston & Will Flynn (GB) vs Spencer Yager & Tarquin Sotir (USA)
All matches:
7-8 July: Limb Trophy (GB def Australia 3-1)
9-10 July: Clothier Cup (USA lost to Australia 7-1)
11-12 July: Van Alen Cup (GB leads USA 4-0)