Vallat to challenge Shenkman for the MCC Gold Racquet
Vallat won the MCC All Comers against Jamie Giddins in straight sets
Bertie Vallat has cemented himself as one of the top amateur players in the UK, sweeping through the competition at the MCC All Comers over the weekend (5-6 October) at Lord’s Cricket Ground.
The MCC Gold Racquet is one of the premier amateur competitions in the world, alongside the British Amateur, having been contested since 1867. The defending champion automatically qualifies to the next year’s final, with the losing finalist contesting the MCC Silver Racquet. The right to challenge the Silver Racquet holder is determined at the MCC All Comers, an invitational event contested by the top amateurs in the UK.
Last year, Robert Shenkman wrestled the Gold Racquet crown from 12-time champion Jamie Douglas. Douglas has announced that he is not contesting the Silver Racquet this year.
With a spot in the Gold Racquet at stake, the All Comers was contested by Bertie Vallat, Jamie Giddins, Benedict Yorston, Ned Batstone and Jonny Whitaker. Proceedings began with a 1 hour 40 minute epic between Whitaker and Batstone. After trading the first two sets between them, the third set would prove decisive. Batstone was the first to five games in the third set, with after Whitaker missed a force high at 4-all. Whitaker found his force in the next game and slotted a couple of dedans to reach 5-all. Batstone took a 30-0 lead defending two short chases, and found himself with a match point and a chase worse than a yard. Whitakers final force was too low, with Batstone taking the match.
On the other side of the draw, Giddins reached the All Comers final with a straight sets win over Yorston, despite plenty of fight shown from Yorston. Vallat came through a tiring Batstone.
In the All Comer’s final, the match began close, with Giddins building a lead early in the first set. Vallat fought back, with a very tight deuce game at 4-all, mixing the pace of the ball up well. Vallat interrogated Giddins’ volley in the subsequent game to take the final game of the set without dropping a point. Vallat’s confidence grew, leading all the way through the second set. Despite a few games to Giddins early in the third, Vallat ended up running away with the match.
“Personally, I was very relieved to overcome Ned Batstone in 2 sets of great tennis, before then playing Jamie Giddins, where, after a very close first set, the nerves settled slightly and I was able to win in 3,” said Vallat.
“The MCC All Comers this year had an excitringly level field and was an amazing opportunity to compete in arguably one of the most prestigious events in the real tennis calendar, in a traditional challenge format rarely seen in other events.”
Vallat will play Shenkman in the MCC Gold Racquet final on Saturday 2nd November at 11am at Lord’s Cricket Ground ahead of the British Open later in November. There is no admission fee for spectators.
MCC All Comers Match Results:
Quarter Final: N Batstone def J Whitaker 4/6 6/4 6/5
Semi Final: B Vallat def N Batstone 6/2 6/4, J Giddins def B Yorston 6/4 6/3
Final: B Vallat def J Giddins 6/4 6/3 6/2